World number 495 Zhizhen Zhang continues the rise of Chinese tennis after a 4-6 6-3 7-6(4) victory over Paolo Lorenzi.
The 20 year old ‘NextGen’ star showed his capabilities as he gained the first big win of his career to reach the Quarter-Finals in Shenzhen. Zhang hit 12 aces and won 80% of his first service points as he looked to dominate on serve throughout the contest. Zhang created the more break point opportunities however Lorenzi’s experience meant the match was decided in a final set tiebreak. To the crowd’s delight, Zhang dominated the tiebreak 7-4 to advance to the last eight. This win completes an amazing month for Chinese tennis as Yibing Wu won the US Open juniors title and followed it up with a challenger title the week after.
Zhang will now play Henri Laaksonen in the Quarter-Finals, who beat Marius Copil 4-6 6-4 6-3 in 2 hours and 7 minutes. In this big serving contest, 32 aces were hit during the contest which saw Laaksonen outlast Copil to battle his way into the last eight. Laaksonen, who helped Switzerland maintain their World Group status in the Davis Cup, will hope to make the most of a golden opportunity.
The other Quarter-Final match up in this half of the draw will be eight seed Donald Young taking on Second seed David Goffin. Young managed to edge past Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 7-6(5) 6-4 in a match full of breaks. However it was the American who was more clinical to take victory and book his place in the last eight. He will now play David Goffin who managed to beat Evgeny Donskoy 7-6(5) 6-3 in a tight contest. Goffin, who is looking to build momentum towards the Davis Cup final in November, managed to do that as he outfought the Russian in a tight win.
There was also a first round match played in Shenzhen, where Damir Szumhur beat John Millman 6-4 7-5. The Bosnian used his confidence from his title in St.Petersburg to gain victory over his Australian opponent. He will now play Lukas Lacko in the second round.
