LONDON, Great Britian - Zhang Shuai became the first player to book a spot in the round of 16 at Wimbledon on Friday.

The former World No.23 defeated No.14 seed Caroline Wozniacki, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at the Championships for the first time.

With first-week victories over Wozniacki, former US Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer and No.23 seed Caroline Garcia, Zhang is the first Chinese player to make the second week in singles at Wimbledon since Peng Shuai in 2014.

"These three matches, I've moved well," Zhang said. "If I want to win, I must be focused, clear my mind and play my game.

"When the draw came out, no one was thinking I can win the first round, because [Caroline] Garcia played very well and won Nottingham. The last three matches, I played really, really well, so I just want to keep going."


From 4-0 down in the opening set, Zhang barrelled through to her second career win against the former World No.1, breaking Wozniacki's serve in five consecutive return games. 

The World No.50 saved three break points to hold serve, and get on the scoreboard, in the fifth game of the match, and proceeded to win six straight games to seal the set.

Though she lost serve in the opening game of the second set, she again went on another run from there, and won four straight games to take command of the upset. 

"She was playing well today. She took the balls early, was returning well, I thought. She was moving quite well around the court," Wozniacki said.

"I obviously wish I'd gone further. No.2 Court over the years hasn't really been my friend. I was hoping to strike up a friendship this year. It wasn't to happen.

"It's too bad. I feel like I could have gone further, but she played better than me today. That's really it. I can't change it now."

Zhang hammered 26 winners to Wozniacki's eight in the match, and the reigning Australian Open doubles champion won 17 of 19 points when she ventured to net - which included a deft backhand dropshot winner to cap a lengthy rally on match point.

Having never before won a main draw match at Wimbledon, going 0-5 in her appearances, the 30-year-old will next face either Viktorija Golubic or Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska for a spot in her second career Grand Slam quarterfinal.

"This time, like at the 2016 Australian Open, I never win, and I have nothing to lose because my opponents are very strong," Zhang said.

"I have to try my best, play a great match. I really want to go back home late, not always Tuesday or Wednesday, I'm already in Beijing. This time, I played more tournaments on grass before Wimbledon.

"Last few years after French Open, I went back home, and came back for Wimbledon or one more tournament. The first two or three tournaments, it didn't go so good.

"Before Wimbledon, I didn't have confidence, because I never win here...but I'm just trying my best, every point."