Magdalena Fręch battled through a grueling three-set match to defeat Shuai Zhang 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 in the Round of 16 at the WTA Merida Open on Thursday, February 27, 2026. The hard-fought victory secures Fręch a spot in the semifinals and a climb into the Top 40 of the WTA rankings.
Zhang, who had to begin her tournament run in the qualifying rounds, previously defeated Katarzyna Piter 6-3, 6-4. She continued her impressive form into the main draw, not dropping a set en route to the Round of 16, including a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win over Varvara Lepchenko. However, Fręch proved a formidable opponent, ultimately overcoming a resilient Zhang after over two hours of play.
WTA Merida: Magdalena Fręch Defeats Shuai Zhang in Thrilling Semifinal Clash
Fręch started the match strong, immediately putting pressure on Zhang’s serve. Zhang responded with aggressive play, particularly on her return, earning an early break. However, Fręch quickly regained her composure, breaking back to level the set. The Polish player continued to dictate play, securing another break and building a 3-1 lead. Despite facing break points of her own, Fręch held firm and closed out the first set 6-2 with a commanding performance.
The second set proved to be a much tighter affair. Zhang fought back, earning a pair of break points on Fręch’s serve, eventually converting one to take a 3-1 lead. Fręch refused to concede, battling back to level the set at 4-4. Both players held serve, leading to a tense tiebreak. Zhang saved two match points, ultimately winning the tiebreak 7-6(6) and forcing a decisive third set.
The momentum shifted again in the third set, as Fręch secured an immediate break to start. Zhang responded with a break of her own, leveling the set at 2-2. The match continued to swing back and forth, with both players displaying incredible resilience. Fręch broke Zhang once more, taking a 4-3 lead, and ultimately served out the match, securing the victory 6-3. The win marks a significant milestone for Fręch, who will now compete for the title at the WTA 500 event in Merida.
Fręch will face the winner of Jasmine Paolini and Cristina Bucsa in the semifinals. This victory guarantees Fręch a rise to a career-high ranking within the Top 40, currently projected at No. 35.
Zhang, a two-time doubles champion this season – winning the WTA 500 in Adelaide with Katerína Siniaková and the Australian Open alongside Elise Mertens – put up a valiant fight, but ultimately couldn’t overcome Fręch’s determination. The head-to-head record between the two players now stands at 2-2, with Fręch evening the score after previously losing to Zhang in three sets during the Asian swing in October 2025.
