At the ongoing US Open, the hard-court tennis Grand Slam event, the world has been taken by storm by the exceptional performances of Chinese tennis players. Zhang Zhizhen, in particular, etched his name in history.
In an awe-inspiring match, Zhang achieved a significant feat, becoming the first man from mainland China to triumph over a top-five ATP ranked player. He showcased resilience, technique, and a never-say-die attitude, defeating World No.5 Casper Ruud of Norway in a match that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. With scores of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 0-6, and 6-2, Zhang displayed tennis at its finest.
His dominating game was evident with his powerful serves that resulted in 18 aces and a relentless forehand that kept Ruud on the defensive. Overwhelmed, Ruud found it challenging to keep up, as Zhang accumulated an impressive 60 winners. This performance secured Zhang a spot in the third round of the US Open, marking a new high in his blossoming career.
Reflecting on Zhang’s surprise victory, the official US Open Twitter channel commented on the emotional roller-coaster that was his match against Ruud, who had a record of reaching the finals in three of the past six Grand Slam events, including being the 2022 US Open runner-up.
Zhang’s journey to this stage is filled with lessons and determination. The 26-year-old tennis star took this win as an opportunity to avenge his earlier loss to Ruud in the third round of the French Open a few months ago. As he readies for the next match against Rinky Hijikata of Australia, Ruud had words of admiration for Zhang. He said, “The way he played left me impressed. Zhang will certainly be a formidable opponent in the tennis circuit for years to come.”
Looking back at his previous US Open experience, Zhang admitted, “Last year’s US Open left a sour taste. This year, however, feels different.” Even though his on-court celebrations after the match win were subtle, he expressed a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness from within.
Beijing-based sports pundit, Liu Yu, expressed his admiration for Zhang’s recent ascent in his tennis career. He attributed a portion of Zhang’s growth to his strategic decision to bring in Lu Yen-hsun, a seasoned tennis player from Taiwan, into his coaching team. With hope in his eyes, Liu expressed anticipation for Zhang’s participation in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The trajectory Zhang’s career is taking indicates a bright future. If he progresses to the fourth round, he stands a chance to be the first Chinese man to enter the Top 50 ATP Rankings.
Zhang’s success story at the US Open isn’t the only one worth celebrating. Zhu Lin, another promising Chinese talent, made headlines by confidently moving into the third round of women’s singles, outplaying Victoria Azarenka of Belarus with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
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