McCartney Kessler vs Zhang Shuai - China Open Beijing Tennis Prediction and Pick 9/25/24

Kessler has played on the lower circuit for most of her career but has enjoyed a rankings jump this season thanks to her sensational title win in Cleveland just before the US Open. It was her first WTA title and included stunning wins over seasoned campaigners like Anastasia Potapova and Brazil’s No. 1 player, Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Having risen to inside the Top 70 for the first time, Kessler finds her name in the thick of the action at the China Open in her first WTA 1000 main draw. 

By contrast, this has been a terrible season for Zhang Shuai on the singles court, as she is winless in 2024. In fact, Zhang, 35, now holds the unwanted record for the most consecutive losses in the Open Era with 24 after losing to Diana Shnaider, Ashlyn Krueger, and Veronika Kudermetova in her last three matches.

The Chinese veteran has at least tried to console herself with excellent doubles results, winning 26 matches this season and reaching four finals in her last two tournaments.

McCartney Kessler vs Zhang Shuai Head-To-Head

• Kessler and Zhang have no previous history at WTA level. This will be their first career meeting.

McCartney Kessler vs Zhang Shuai Prediction

Not many people will be willing to take a punt on Zhang in singles right now, given her record-breaking run of 24 consecutive losses. But make no mistake about questioning her motivation, especially in her last two matches against Top 100 players, where she actually played decently. Now on her home soil and against an opponent who hasn’t played in a month, Zhang will look to seize the moment to end this terrible form.

Zhang to win a set