Despite heavy rain disrupting play at Roland Garros, China’s tennis stars Zhang Zhizhen, Zheng Qinwen, and Wang Xinyu have advanced to the third round of the 123rd French Open.
Zhang Zhizhen secured his place in the third round with a four-set victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. The match, which began on Wednesday, was postponed in the first set due to inclement weather. Zhang, 27, from Shanghai, celebrated his second consecutive year reaching this stage at the French Open, marking a significant milestone in his career. The Hangzhou Asian Games gold medalist is set to face World No. 9 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the next round.
“For me, there were advantages and disadvantages to playing a match over two days,” Zhang said after his victory. “The good thing was that I could rest and recover, but the downside is that I have to keep playing without much break.”
Zheng Qinwen and Wang Xinyu also progressed to the third round, showcasing the growing strength of Chinese tennis on the international stage. Their performances reflect China’s rising prominence in the sport and the potential for further success in the tournament.
The French Open, one of tennis’s four Grand Slam events, presents a significant opportunity for these athletes to make their mark. As they advance, they carry the hopes of fans from the Chinese mainland and around the world eager to see them succeed.
