Zhang Shuai ends losing against Putintseva

In the first round of the WTA 1000 Toronto tournament, Chinese player Zhang Shuai defeated Yulia Putintseva 6–4, 6–1 in straight sets, ending her seven-match losing streak against Putintseva and starting the tournament with a victory.

Putintseva served first in the opening set. Zhang Shuai immediately broke her opponent’s serve and saved a break point in the second game to hold, taking a 2–0 lead. After both players held serve once each, Zhang secured another break in the fifth game. However, Putintseva broke back in the sixth game and then found her rhythm, holding serve and breaking back to level at 4–4. Zhang broke again in the ninth game to lead 5–4 and served for the set. She saved two break points and successfully held, taking the set 6–4.

In the second set, Putintseva served first again, but Zhang once more secured a break at the start, breaking Putintseva’s serve twice in a row and holding to open up a dream start at 4–0. Putintseva held serve in the fifth game to avoid a bagel. Zhang then held serve and broke Putintseva’s must-hold game, sealing the set 6–1. Winning two straight sets, Zhang defeated Putintseva 2–0 and advanced to the next round.Next, Zhang Shuai will face Ostapenko.