China opened its 2026 United Cup campaign with a gripping 2-1 victory over Belgium in Sydney on Saturday, showcasing resilience in the mixed-team tennis tournament's Group B clash. While world No. 20 Elise Mertens initially overpowered China's Zhu Lin 6-2, 6-2 in women's singles, the Chinese squad staged a remarkable comeback through Zhang Zhizhen's decisive performance.
Zhu, ranked 168th entering the tournament, faced formidable opposition from the Belgian star. The 31-year-old Chinese athlete's current season follows a challenging 2025 campaign that included a six-month injury hiatus and a career-reviving victory over Emma Raducanu at October's Ningbo Open.
Men's singles became China's turning point as Zhang Zhizhen delivered a crucial straight-set win against Belgium's Zizou Bergs. The victory set up a dramatic mixed doubles decider where the Chinese pair secured the overall match through determined teamwork.
This opening triumph positions China favorably in the $15 million United Cup, which features 18 national teams competing across Australian cities. The result particularly resonates with Asian sports enthusiasts as regional athletes continue making strides in global tennis circuits.
