The chief executive of the Women's Tennis Association predicts the increasing popularity of the sport in China and the improvement in talent development will produce a successor to Li Na.

Zhang Shuai's impressive rise over the past year has excited Chinese fans after two-time Grand Slam winner Li retired in 2104. Zhang jumped from No 212 in the world to No 28 and made the quarterfinals at this year's Australian Open.

"There are a number of great players coming up through the Chinese system, which is encouraging," Steve Simon, WTA CEO, told China Daily at the weekend.