China’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, Zhang Zhizhen, advanced to the quarterfinals of the ATP Hangzhou Open with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 victory over Italy’s Mattia Bellucci on Saturday.
Competing on home soil for the first time since his impressive run to the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters last October, the 27-year-old Zhang thrilled the local crowd with a dominant performance.
The match began evenly, with Bellucci saving a break point while trailing 3-4 in the first set. However, Zhang seized the momentum by converting the crucial break and serving out the set 6-3 with a powerful ace.
In the second set, Zhang showcased his exceptional form, delivering a series of deep, precise shots that left Bellucci struggling to keep up. The Hangzhou Asian Games champion surged ahead, wrapping up the set 6-0 in just 77 minutes to secure his spot in the quarterfinals.
Looking ahead, Zhang will face Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in the quarterfinals, a match that promises excitement as he continues his quest for the Hangzhou Open title.
Meanwhile, fellow Chinese player Bu Yunchaokete is set to meet Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin in another quarterfinal clash, marking their first encounter on the ATP Tour.
