On January 20th, Beijing time, the third round of women's doubles matches took place at the Australian Open. Zhang Shuai and Mladenovic teamed up to defeat Chan Hao-ching and Kichenok with a score of 7-6(3)/6-2, successfully advancing to the quarterfinals of the women's doubles. Zhang Shuai has performed well in this Australian Open, reaching the second round in singles and the quarterfinals in both women's doubles and mixed doubles, with the women's doubles team possessing the potential to challenge for the championship.
Zhang Shuai and Mladenovic started slowly, making many mistakes and trailing 0-4 in the first set. However, both players have rich experience and managed to adjust in time, winning five consecutive games to take the lead and ultimately reverse the match.
After winning the first set, their opponents' mentality seemed to falter. Zhang Shuai and Mladenovic easily won the second set 6-2, confidently advancing to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Zhang Shuai previously won the Australian Open women's doubles title in 2019 with Stosur, and the two also won the US Open women's doubles title in 2021. Zhang Shuai is considered an ace in the women's doubles category for Chinese women's tennis, having also been a runner-up twice in Grand Slam events (Wimbledon in 2022 and the US Open in 2024).
The 31-year-old Mladenovic is a renowned Grand Slam champion in both women's doubles and mixed doubles, having won the Grand Slam title five times and been a runner-up five times.
In 2024, Zhang Shuai experienced a period of poor form, admitting that during her low point, many people refused to partner with her in doubles. However, Mladenovic chose to team up with Zhang Shuai, and the two reached the women's doubles final at the US Open, unfortunately losing to Kichenok and Ostapenko.
Now, the two continue to team up at the Australian Open and have successfully advanced to the quarterfinals. Mladenovic, who stands at 1.84 meters tall, once ranked first in the world in doubles. Both she and Zhang Shuai are over thirty years old, especially Zhang Shuai, who will celebrate her 36th birthday on January 21st. Advancing to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open women's doubles is the best birthday present.
Zhang Shuai and Mladenovic's next opponents are the top seeds Siniakova and Townsend. Zhang Shuai's challenges will continue. Despite her age, Zhang Shuai shows no signs of slowing down, maintaining excellent form. This is a highly disciplined athlete who can still compete strongly in Grand Slam events at this age, and her fighting spirit is truly admirable.