Zhang Zhizhen wasted match points in doubles and was overturned, ending his Australian Open journey; Zhang Shuai celebrated a winning start on her 37th birthday.

As the Australian Open reached its fourth day, Zhang Zhizhen and Zhang Shuai encountered starkly contrasting outcomes: Zhang Zhizhen’s tournament came to an end, whereas Zhang Shuai’s prospects appeared to be just starting to unfold.

After Zhang Zhizhen’s unsuccessful attempt to secure a winning start as the first Chinese player on the opening day, the focus shifted to the doubles fate of him and his partner Shang Juncheng.

Before their official debut, many hoped this brotherly duo would show strong teamwork; they didn’t expect a deep run, just to avoid a first-round exit, as that would leave Zhang Zhizhen’s Australian Open campaign ending with zero wins, which would be somewhat embarrassing.

When the pair fell behind 0-2 early in the first set after being broken by Ebden and Ram, fans and viewers in the live chat not only urged Zhang Zhizhen to “hold on” but also reminded Shang Juncheng to cooperate better, warning, “Otherwise, Zhang’s presence will vanish completely from the Australian Open.”

Dramatically, after this moment in the live chat, Zhang Zhizhen and Shang Juncheng suddenly changed their play; as they launched a counterattack, the momentum shifted drastically. They not only caught up but ultimately won the set 6-3, completing a comeback victory.

Just when everyone thought Zhang Zhizhen and Shang Juncheng would carry this momentum to win, surprisingly, after a tough three-set battle, they lost the match, causing Zhang Zhizhen to exit both singles and doubles in the first round, leaving him heartbroken as he departed Melbourne.

After the match, many discussing the doubles game didn’t offer empty comfort to Zhang Zhizhen and Shang Juncheng but directly pointed out the reason for the loss: they were reversed because they faltered at crucial moments and failed to seize their chances; otherwise, the brothers would have been celebrating victory.

To be precise, after overcoming a difficult first set and securing it, their confidence and morale soared instantly. Even though their opponents raised their level in the second set and caused them significant trouble, Zhang and Shang still held a clear advantage going into the tiebreak.

Especially when Shang and Zhang led 6-4 in the tiebreak and held two match points, everyone watching believed they were very likely to close the match in two sets. Unexpectedly, after wasting those match points, they quickly paid a heavy price: their opponents scored four consecutive points to take the tiebreak 8-6, leveling the match, and then decisively defeated Zhang and Shang 6-2 in the final set, resulting in a crushing loss that left many speechless.

The widespread disappointment over Zhang Zhizhen and Shang Juncheng losing this crucial doubles match was not only because Zhang lost his chance to continue competing at Melbourne Park, but also because they were the last Chinese men’s doubles pair in this Australian Open. Their first-round exit officially ended China’s men’s doubles campaign at the tournament.

In contrast to Zhang Zhizhen’s sorrowful departure, Zhang Shuai, after suffering a heavy defeat in the singles first round, finally secured her first Australian Open doubles victory, making up for the lost birthday gift on her 37th birthday and ushering in a fresh start.

After being defeated by Preston in the singles first round on the 20th, many thought Zhang Shuai’s birthday gift at 37 was gone early. Unexpectedly, the Australian Open organizers scheduled her doubles debut precisely on her birthday, January 21st.

When Zhang Shuai and her partner Mertens took the court with high spirits, many said that if Zhang could win her doubles opener today, it would be a much more meaningful way to celebrate her 37th birthday.

Some expressed confidence it would happen because the birthday star is very lucky, saying, “Just waiting for good news from Sister Shuai.”

The Grand Slam champion duo Zhang Shuai and Mertens started strong against the multinational pair Kostyia and Kalinskaya. Leading 3-1 in the first set, no matter how their opponents tried to fight back, Zhang and Mertens refused to give them a chance to overturn the score, eventually winning the set 6-4.

Their performance in the second set earned even more praise!

Facing Kostyia and Kalinskaya’s early break and hold to lead 2-0, Zhang and Mertens immediately raised their intensity to the highest level. From the third game onward, they dominated the entire match, winning six consecutive games to take the set 6-2 and clinch the victory emphatically.

Seeing the pair embrace after their win, fans and viewers in the live chat emotionally said this victory arrived just in time for Zhang Shuai on her 37th birthday, a truly joyous omen. Starting her doubles debut in such great form makes people even more hopeful about her pursuit of the doubles title!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)