The 123rd edition of the French Open kicked off on Sunday with a strong showing from Chinese players, including Zhang Zhizhen, Wang Yafan, Wang Xinyu, and Wang Xiyu, all advancing to the second round.
Zhang Zhizhen, the only Chinese player in this year's men's main draw, showcased his talent by defeating Australia's Aleksandar Vukic with scores of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a gripping first-round match. This marks the second consecutive year Zhang has reached the second round at Roland-Garros, following his grand slam breakthrough last year when he advanced to the tournament's third round.
The 27-year-old from Shanghai has made significant strides in both singles and doubles this year. In men's doubles, Zhang became the first Chinese male player to reach the semifinals at a grand slam, achieving this milestone at the Australian Open. He also secured his first tour-level title alongside Czech Republic's Tomas Machac in Marseille, highlighting his rising prominence in the tennis world.
This impressive performance at the French Open underscores the growing presence and competitiveness of Chinese players on the global tennis stage, inspiring young athletes and fans alike.
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Zhang Zhizhen leads Chinese players to kick off French Open campaign
cgtn.com
