Zhang poised to bounce back next year

NANJING: After an unsuccessful attempt to establish herself on the WTA tour, China's Zhang Shuai, once seen as a prodigy with the ability to reach the elite level of women's tennis, says she wants to start all over again next season.

Following her giant-killing performance at last month's China Open - where she upset then world No 1 Dinara Safina of Russia in the second round, the 20-year-old has lifted herself to No 154 in the world, only 22 spots lower that her career best ranking of 132 set in July 2007. She also became the fourth-highest ranked Chinese player, behind Li Na (15), Zheng Jie (35) and Peng Shuai (47).

"Gradually, my confidence is returning but it has not been easy," Zhang told China Daily during the Mercedes-Benz China Grand Prix here where she teamed with Sun Shengnan to win the women's doubles title.