Ningbo Open serves up thrilling women's singles qualifiers

The qualifying rounds of the 2024 Ningbo Open women's singles began on Oct 12 at the Ningbo (Yinzhou) Tennis Center in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, with six players poised to advance to the main draw.

Prior to the event, on Oct 11, the Ningbo Open unveiled its qualifying draw, which includes Zhang Shuai, a two-time Grand Slam women's doubles champion and a standout among the participating Chinese players. Joining her are esteemed tennis figures such as Sara Errani, a former French Open finalist, Ajla Tomljanovic, Yuliia Starodubtseva, and other renowned athletes.

Zhang, who has also claimed three WTA singles titles, is currently enjoying a career high. Having reached the Grand Slam women's doubles finals at the US Open this year and advanced to the quarterfinals at the China Open earlier in October, her performance at the Ningbo Open is crucial as she aims to qualify for the Australian Open next year.

In the opening round, Zhang will square off against Olivia Gadecki, the fourth seed, who recently reached the finals of the WTA Guadalajara Open. If Zhang prevails, she will face the winner of the match between fellow Chinese player Yao Xinxin and Anna Bondar, the seventh seed, in the deciding round.

Italian tennis star Errani, known for her prowess in both singles and doubles, reached the French Open women's singles finals in 2012 and achieved the milestone of a grand slam golden set this year by winning the women's doubles gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Last week, she and partner Jasmine Paolini claimed the doubles title at the China Open.

In the Ningbo qualifying rounds, she will take on Chinese player Gao Xinyu in the first round. The winner of this match will then face either Wei Sijia or Ma Yexin in the deciding round.

Wei has been one of the fastest-rising Chinese tennis players this season, participating in the qualifying rounds of all four Grand Slams and securing her first WTA main draw victory at the China Open last month. Ma and Gao have also made multiple appearances in Grand Slam qualifying rounds this year.

Starodubtseva, the third seed, is also performing well, having reached the quarterfinals of her first WTA 1000 event at the China Open. She will face Chinese player You Xiaodi in the first round, with the winner advancing to face either Errani or Han Tianyu in the next round.

Tomljanovic, who has reached the quarterfinals of three Grand Slams and is known for defeating Serena Williams in her final professional match, will also compete. Having won the WTA 125 Hong Kong title last week, she will face Canadian player Zhao Yiyu in the first round. The winner of this match will then face either Chinese player Shi Han or eighth seed Ella Seidel in the deciding round. Another Chinese player, Lu Jiajing, will take on the 12th seed, Varvara Lepchenko, in the opening round.