Hometown hero soars in Shanghai

Release time：2024-05-21 19:43:21 Source：Culture Capsule news portal

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.

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