Zhang Shuai aims to secure a strong start for the Chinese team in the new season today; is this year's United Cup the most challenging yet for China?

As the 2026 season begins, who will be the first from the Chinese tennis team to appear and fight for the symbolic good luck of a winning start? The 36-year-old Zhang Shuai!

January 2nd marks the official start of the Brisbane 500 qualifiers, where 36-year-old Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai will be the pioneer for the Chinese tennis squad in the new season, aiming to meet the high expectations of fans and netizens for a winning opening.

The current focus on Zhang Shuai is not just because she is the first to compete for China in the new season, but because her courage to enter the highly competitive Brisbane 500 is commendable, and everyone is curious about what kind of results she will ultimately deliver.

Since January is still far from the 1000-level tournaments, the 500-level Brisbane event becomes the highest tier tournament this month. While Wang Xinyu, ranked higher than Zhang Shuai, chose to warm up for the Australian Open at a 250-level event, and Zheng Qinwen is resting, Zhang’s decision to compete in such a high-level tournament right after breaking into the top 100 naturally catches more attention.

Currently, Zhang Shuai’s opponent and match time for the first round of Brisbane qualifiers are confirmed: she will face Anna Avanesyan, a Russian-born player now representing Armenia, at 9:30 AM on January 2nd.

When it was announced that Zhang Shuai drew Avanesyan in the first qualifying round, many thought Zhang’s luck was a bit unlucky, expecting it might not be easy for her to smoothly pass this initial hurdle.

However, considering Avanesyan is currently troubled by a compensation claim from the Russian Tennis Federation, this issue might affect this tennis beauty and could possibly work as an opportunity for Zhang Shuai.

In terms of major tournament experience and singles achievements, Zhang Shuai clearly outclasses Avanesyan, but the biggest concern is that Zhang is 13 years older than the Armenian player. If she cannot take control early and prevent the match from dragging on, there is worry that Zhang might eventually lose due to stamina.

Of course, some fans and netizens jokingly say that since Avanesyan is dealing with such a big compensation case and being closely pressured by the Russian Tennis Federation as reported by foreign media, her mind is probably already unsettled. “As long as Zhang doesn’t falter, she should have no problem securing the opening win for the Chinese team at the start of the new season.”

If Zhang Shuai fails to secure the opening win for the Chinese tennis team in the Brisbane qualifiers, then the responsibility will fall on Zhang Zhizhen and Zhu Lin, who represent China in the United Cup.

Many believe that this year’s Chinese United Cup team is less strong than last year’s, making it difficult to match last year’s quarterfinal achievement.

Especially after the draw was released, seeing China grouped with Belgium and Canada, many fans and netizens felt disheartened and openly expressed concerns about China’s prospects in this United Cup.

According to the latest schedule, China will face Belgium on January 3rd. Whether it’s Zhu Lin against Mertens or Zhang Zhizhen versus Berghuis, both matches are extremely tough, with China’s two main players clearly at a disadvantage.

If Zhang Zhizhen and Zhu Lin both lose to Belgium, then facing the stronger Canadian team on January 4th will make winning even less likely.

Some netizens humorously commented that when Zhu Lin faces Canada’s young talent Leylah Fernandez, unless Fernandez is in terrible form, Zhu Lin’s chances of an upset are slim even if she fights with all her might; and if Zhang Zhizhen challenges Aliassime, avoiding a straight-set loss or a shutout would already be a great consolation.

Zhang Zhizhen’s poor outlook is largely due to his disappointing form since returning from the Hangzhou 250 tournament in 2025. Especially at the National Games, which are less intense than the tour, he failed to reach the semifinals, causing some to lose confidence in him. Zhu Lin is underestimated mainly because her opponents are too strong.

Many are pessimistic about the Chinese team led by Zhang Zhizhen and Zhu Lin in the United Cup even before the matches start, which is understandable given the odds placing China at the bottom with 51-to-1. With so many negative factors weighing on the team, can anyone really remain optimistic?

Therefore, many hope that Zhang Shuai can defeat Avanesyan in the first round of the Brisbane qualifiers on January 2nd, securing a winning start for the Chinese tennis team in the new season. Otherwise, with low expectations for Zhang Zhizhen and Zhu Lin, all that remains is to patiently await the right moment.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)