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Zhang Zhizen is one of the best prospects for Chinese tennis as he made history earlier in May when he beat Cameron Norrie in the Round of 32 of the Madrid Open. Zhang became the first player from his country to reach the fourth round of an ATP Masters 1000 event. Zhang then upset eighth seeded Taylor Fritz for a place in the quarter-finals where he lost to Aslan Karatsev. The 26-year-old has once again etched history as he has become the first Chinese to win a match at the Roland Garros in 86 years.
Zhizen, who was playing his Round of 128 at the French Open, was leading against Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 4-1 when Lajovic was forced to retire with an injury. It was his first win at the Grand Slam as he had earlier lost three first-round games in his three appearances. In 2021 he made an appearance at Wimbledon but lost to Antoine Hoang in five long sets.
Zhang after his historical win over Lajovic said, “It's incredibly challenging to win a five-set match at the Grand Slam. It takes a great deal of physical stamina and mental strength to endure such a grueling test of endurance.”
Meanwhile, his other two Chinese compatriots, Wu Yibing and Shang Juncheng failed to get past the first round. China's highest-ranked male player at No.54 Wu Yibing, lost to Spanish Roberto Bautista Agut and the 18-year-old Shang failed to get past Peru's Juan Pablo Varillas.
The World No. 71, Zhang will face Argentine Thiago Tirante in the second round of the French Open on Thursday, June 1.