Chinese Players Shine in Hangzhou and Chengdu Open

Release date: 2024-09-24 08:39

Physical education has been a cornerstone of Chinese sports development, and recent tennis tournaments have showcased the country’s growing talent in the sport.

In the Hangzhou Open, Zhang Zhizhen defeated Buyunchaoket and advanced to the finals. The two Chinese players met in the semifinals, with Zhang Zhizhen, 27, facing his junior, 22-year-old Buyunchaoket. Despite being beaten three times at the net, Zhang Zhizhen secured a spot in the finals.

Buyunchaoket, from Xinjiang, China, reached the semifinals of the tour for the first time. Zhang Zhizhen, on the other hand, has never won a singles championship in the tour. The two players held their serve in the first set, with Zhang Zhizhen eventually winning 7-3.

Zhang Zhizhen’s impressive performance included 23 points scored throughout the game, 7 more than his opponent. He set the net, hit a straight line, changed to chasing, and apologized to his opponent unintentionally. His first serve scoring rate was 75%, slightly higher than his opponent.

In the second set, Zhang Zhizhen faced two break points in each of the two games but successfully saved them. He won the multiple sets 6-4 and advanced in two straight sets. This marked his first time entering the men’s singles final of the tour, where he will face former US Open champion Shi Li.

Meanwhile, in the Chengdu Open, another Chinese player, Shang Juncheng, reached the final. The 19-year-old player, wearing a red shirt, created a break in each of the two sets and served 12 “ACEs” throughout the game. He won two sets in a row 6-4, entering the tour final for the first time. Shang Juncheng will compete with the top seed Mesdy for the championship.

These recent victories demonstrate the growing strength of Chinese tennis players in international tournaments, highlighting the country’s commitment to physical education and sports development.