The 123rd edition of the French Open commenced on Sunday with a strong showing from Chinese tennis players. Leading the way is Zhang Zhizhen, who secured his spot in the second round after a hard-fought victory. Zhang, the sole Chinese participant in this year’s men’s main draw, defeated Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. This marks the second consecutive year that the 27-year-old from Shanghai has advanced to the second round at Roland-Garros. Last year, he made history by reaching the third round, marking his grand slam breakthrough. In addition to his singles success, Zhang has made significant strides in men’s doubles this year. He became the first Chinese male player to reach the semifinals of a grand slam event at the Australian Open. Furthermore, he claimed his first tour-level title alongside Czech partner Tomas Machac in Marseille. Chinese women players also shone on the clay courts. Wang Yafan, Wang Xinyu, and Wang Xiyu all advanced to the second round, showcasing the growing talent and competitiveness of Chinese tennis on the global stage. The achievements of Zhang and his fellow compatriots signal a promising future for Chinese tennis, inspiring fans and aspiring players across Asia.
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Zhang Zhizhen leads Chinese players to kick off French Open campaign
cgtn.com
