03 September,2016 12:11 PM IST | | Agencies
China’s Zhang Shuai apologised for knocking her best friend Samantha Stosur out of the US Open on Thursday, hailing the former champion for talking her out of quitting the sport last year
New York: China's Zhang Shuai apologised for knocking her best friend Samantha Stosur out of the US Open on Thursday, hailing the former champion for talking her out of quitting the sport last year.
Zhang eased to a 6-3, 6-3 second round win over the 2011 US Open winner but said she had wished the two friends, who are also doubles partners, had faced each other later in the tournament. "Everyone knows we are good friends, we train together a lot of the time. When we came to New York, we practiced together at the same time on this same court," said the 27-year-old after her 70-minute win on the new Grandstand.
"She helped me a lot last year when I thought about retiring. She told me to keep going and not give up. She tried to help me by playing doubles. It's a tough feeling playing her and I feel sad for Sam. She always tries her best and she loves the game. I hope that next time we will meet later in the tournament."
