Zhang Shuai advances by beating former world No 1 Wozniacki

LONDON - Zhang Shuai of China advanced into the last 16 after beating former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki from Denmark 6-4, 6-2 in the women's singles of Wimbledon on Friday.

Zhang has been stopped five times in the first round at All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club since 2011. But after her first career win at Wimbledon on July 1 when she defeated Caroline Garcia from France 6-4, 6-0, she continued to break her own record.

"I've been looking forward to the first win for a long time. It's more like a breakthrough for me than a victory," Zhang said after the first round, admitting that the first win at Wimbledon made her grow as an athlete.

Zhang started her career on hard court. After losing in the first round again at Wimbledon last year, she said that she might never win here.

"Grand Slam means a lot to me and I want to keep my career much longer as a tennis player," Zhang said.

She made a breakthrough early this year at the Australian Open when she teamed up Samantha Stosur from Australia to win the women's doubles, her first Grand Slam title.