2019 Wimbledon Championships – Simona Halep vs Zhang Shuai Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Simona Halep vs Zhang Shuai taking place? All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London
When is Simona Halep vs Zhang Shuai on and what time does it start? Tuesday 9th July, 2019 – (not before) TBC (UK)
What is the expected weather for Simona Halep vs Zhang Shuai? Cloudy with a temperature around 20c
What channel is Simona Halep vs Zhang Shuai on? Matches will air on BBC1, BBC2 and BBC Red Button throughout the tournament
Where can I stream Simona Halep vs Zhang Shuai? BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport website / BBC Sport app
Where can I get tickets for Simona Halep vs Zhang Shuai?
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THE LOWDOWN
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Zhang Shuai 2-1 Simona Halep
Last meeting: Zhang Shuai beat Simona Halep 6-0, 6-3
SIMONA HALEP
- Seventh-seed Simona Halep put an end to the fairytale at this year’s Wimbledon by comprehensively beating 15-year-old Cori Gauff in straight sets.
- The Romanian former world number one is through to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the fourth time in her career with her best showing still her semi-final exit in 2014.
- Halep has faced her quarter-final opponent Zhang Shuai three times before and is on the wrong end of a 2-1 head-to-head record, with all three matches played on hard courts.
ZHANG SHUAI
- Zhang Shuai made it through a topsy-turvy round of 16 match with young Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska in three sets to set up a quarter-final tie with Halep.
- 30-year-old Zhang Shuai dropped a set for the first time this campaign but has had her serve broken in the last three rounds on multiple occasions and this seems to be her weakness.
- The Chinese world number 50 had not progressed past the first round at Wimbledon in five appearances before this year, with the majority of her singles successes coming on the hard courts of the Australian Open and the US Open.
THE PREDICTION
Simona Halep was excellent in her round of 16 match with teenage sensation Cori Gauff and did not let the occasion get to her as the majority of a Court 1 crowd willed her to lose. She will be firmly back in favour when she faces China’s Zhang Shuai, with the former world number one getting better round by round. While Zhang Shuai holds the lead in their 2-1 head-to-head record, their last match was in 2016. The Chinese world number 50 could take a set as she is a very busy opponent but it is more likely that Simona Halep will win in two.
