Current location:business >>
Hometown hero soars in Shanghai
business99789People have gathered around
IntroductionChina's Zhang Zhizhen hits a return during his round-of-32 victory over Brandon Nakashima of the US ...
China's Zhang Zhizhen hits a return during his round-of-32 victory over Brandon Nakashima of the US at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday. A 7-6(2), 6-2 win saw Zhang become the first-ever Chinese player to reach the fourth round of the ATP 1000 event. REUTERS
Zhang Zhizhen thrills fans with historic run to fourth round
SHANGHAI — Zhang Zhizhen made more history on Sunday when he became the first Chinese player to reach the fourth round at the Rolex Shanghai Masters in the history of the ATP Masters 1000 event.
Before a boisterous crowd who waved red-and-yellow flags and wasted no chance to cheer their hometown hero, the world No 60 overcame 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals champion Brandon Nakashima of the US 7-6(2), 6-2 on Sunday.
Zhang, China's top-ranked men's player at No 60 in the ATP rankings, struck 18 winners and saved the one break point he faced to advance after one hour and 25 minutes. He also clinched seven consecutive points in the first-set tiebreak to lead.
"I didn't even know I won seven points in a row," Zhang said. "I just tried to go point by point. It was a very tough match because I couldn't find any chance on his serve until the second set. I had to be patient and I'm glad I broke him in the end. I'm pretty happy."
Zhang became the first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinalist from China in May in Madrid, and in July rose to a career-high No 52 in the ATP rankings.
He beat Casper Ruud at the US Open to become the first man from the Chinese mainland to beat a topfive opponent.
Now into the fourth round at the hard-court event, the 26-year-old will aim to continue his historic run when he plays 16th seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. Earlier this week Zhang defeated Richard Gasquet and Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Defending champion Daniil Medvedev said missing one key opportunity had cost him a spot in the fourth round after he was knocked out in straight sets by 26th-ranked Sebastian Korda on Sunday.
The Russian fell apart in the second set after Korda won the first on a tiebreaker taken to the brink, with the match finishing 7-6(8), 6-2.
"I should have won the tiebreak but didn't," said the world No 3.
"I was, for sure, down mentally after such a first set... In the tiebreak, he actually didn't play that good. I didn't use this opportunity and I'm going home."
Medvedev fell three games behind an emboldened Korda in the second set, but looked like he might be about to make a comeback with a blistering win in the fourth game.
But the American fought back, taking the next game, and Medvedev grew increasingly agitated, gesticulating in frustration and smashing his racket.
"I feel awesome, I played an incredible match," said 23-year-old Korda at the end, thanking the crowd for their enthusiasm.
"It's been a really long year for me. A lot of injuries, a lot of time off," he said later at a news conference.
"To finally get a really good win like this against a top-five player is great for me."
'Not amazing'
Medvedev had said the game would be "interesting" for him beforehand, referencing his loss to Korda in their last meeting.
At a news conference after Sunday's match, looking deflated, he summed up his performances in China as "not amazing".
He made the final of Beijing's China Open last week but lost to Italian Jannik Sinner.
"Shanghai is really important... I wanted to do better," Medvedev said.
"I felt good being here, so I'm a little bit, not a little bit, I'm very disappointed to lose."
His elimination was watched from the courtside by tournament top seed Carlos Alcaraz.
Medvedev said the 20-year-old Spaniard and Sinner were the top contenders for his title now.
"But at the same time... Maybe Jannik loses today, Carlos loses tomorrow, and it's all over... That's why tennis is interesting, we can never know," he said with a wry smile.
Medvedev's words seemed almost prophetic in the first set of Sinner's evening match against Argentina's Sebastian Baez.
The world No 4 had a sluggish start and looked tired, leaning on his racket at one point. Taking advantage, Baez won the first set by three games.
But at the beginning of the second set, Sinner was transformed, claiming the first three games in quick succession.
The 29th-ranked Baez ultimately couldn't outlast Sinner, with the final score 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
"I think I handled the situation quite well," the Italian said of being down a set.
"You always have to find a solution when you are down... I just tried to stand a bit more aggressive — in the first set (Baez) was making a lot of winners and serving very well."
Sinner will next face Ben Shelton, after the American beat Roman Safiullin in three sets 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
World No 9 Casper Ruud is also through and will face Fabian Marozsan, who celebrated his birthday by defeating Serbian Dusan Lajovic in straight sets on Sunday.
World No 7 Andrey Rublev of Russia defeated France's Quentin Halys 6-4, 7-5.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Capsule news portal”。http://qatar.nashville-west.com/news-70e199853.html
Related articles
‘Kraven the Hunter’ release delayed until December
businessThe summer movie season may kick off next weekend, but the release calendar is still a work in progr ...
【business】
Read moreDenis Bouanga's 2 goals help LAFC play Red Bulls to 2
businessLOS ANGELES (AP) — Denis Bouanga scored two goals, his second multi-goal game this season, to help L ...
【business】
Read moreIsrael's parliament passes amended budget as Gaza war continues
businessJERUSALEM, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli parliament on Wednesday approved a revised state budget ...
【business】
Read more
Popular articles
- Steve Gleason, 47, reveals his daily 'exorcism' as he battles ALS: Ex
- Lee's single in eighth ends no
- Jennifer Aniston, 55, and Courteney Cox, 59, show off their age
- Spring outing popular among Chinese people: survey
- Brad Stevens selected as NBA's executive of the year after Celtics' NBA
- Five UFO abduction cases that could FINALLY be solved
Latest articles
Encino out of Kentucky Derby, Epic Ride joins the 20
MacKinnon versus Hellebuyck highlight first
Masters champ Scottie Scheffler posts a 63 and leads the RBC Heritage by 1 shot
Liz Jones' Diary: In which I 'flip the script' on worries about my house move and marriage
Armed men storm a hospital in central Mexico, killing a patient
Ryan Garcia knocks Devin Haney down 3 times and hands his amateur rival his first pro loss
LINKS
- Missed the 2024 solar eclipse? Here's when and where you can see the next one
- London restaurant transforms into Charlie and the Chocolate factory
- Missed the 2024 solar eclipse? Here's when and where you can see the next one
- From House Sparrows to Blue Tits: The stunning birds spotted the most often in UK gardens
- Early man's best friend was the fox as the animal was domesticated by humans, research suggests
- I ate cricket meat mince and it was delicious
- Hannah Elizabeth puts on a busty display in an off
- Why cat urine smells so bad: Scientists reveal what causes the unique stench
- Jessi Campbell: Little girl's brave battle after being born with 1kg cyst on her arm
- McDonald's praised for innovative ad that smells exactly like classic item on their menu