A brand new beginning! Zhang Zhizhen claims the Brisbane Challenger title

On February 15th Beijing time, Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen secured the title at the ATP CH75 tournament in Brisbane, overcoming Australian Bolt, ranked No.178 globally, in the final by 6-2, 6-4.

Zhang Zhizhen Photo: Huang Shangyue

Zhang Zhizhen missed half of last season due to injury. This season, he started his campaign at the United Cup, finishing with one win and one loss; after an early exit in the Australian Open first round, he moved on to the Davis Cup World Group playoff, where he made a crucial comeback by winning both points on the second day, helping China advance successfully.

Due to a drop in world ranking, Zhang Zhizhen chose to return to Australia this week to compete in the Challenger. In the final, Zhang showed great momentum, breaking serve in the very first game and again in the fifth, taking the first set 6-2. In the second set, he overcame a 0-40 disadvantage to hold serve in the sixth game and secured a decisive break in the ninth game, winning 6-4 to claim the title. The match lasted only 68 minutes, during which Zhang served 9 aces. With 75 ranking points and $17,000 prize money earned from this victory, Zhang’s world ranking is expected to rise to around 320 next week.

Two other Chinese players, Zhou Yi and Sun Fajing, entered the singles draw as the 6th and 7th seeds respectively but both lost to Australian opponents in the first round and failed to advance. In doubles, Wang Aoran and his partner upset the 4th seeds in the opening round but were eliminated in the second round.

Zhang Zhizhen’s path to the title

First round: 7-6(4), 6-3 vs. Marinkov [W]

Second round: 6-4, 7-6(7) vs. Yasuki Uchiyama [9]

Quarterfinals: 6-3, 7-6 vs. Hayato Matsuoka

Semifinals: 6-1, 6-4 vs. Rei Sakamoto [3]

Final: 6-2, 6-4 vs. Bolt [4]

Zhu Lin Photo: Li Jianyi

The ITF W75 Brisbane event held concurrently also crowned its champion. The tournament’s 3rd seed Zhu Lin finished runner-up after losing 4-6, 5-7 to 4th seed E. Jones. Ma Yexin, seeded 6th, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by top seed Gibson. Next, Zhu Lin and Ma Yexin will head to Japan to continue competing in W75-level tournaments, joined by Wang Xiyu and Bai Zhuoxuan.

(Text and editing by: Dato)