Zhizhen Zhang's redemption: Remarkable comeback sees him prevail over Hurkacz in a thrilling Japan Open showdown
ATP
Zhizhen
Zhang takes revenge from their Shanghai encounter and defeats Hubert Hurkacz to
advance to the second round of the Japan Open with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4).
The recent
champion of the Masters 1000 Shanghai Open quickly traveled to Tokyo to make
his debut in the first round of the ATP 500 Japan Open. The points obtained by
Hurkacz allowed him to climb to world No. 11, although he is still more than
500 points away from the top 10.
In his
opening match, he faced one of his opponents from the previous week, Chinese
player Zhang Zhizhen (57th) in a round of 16 match that was decided in the
third-set tie-break (7-6, 4-6, 7-6). The 27-year-old Chinese player was seeking
revenge, having a 2-0 head-to-head advantage over Hurkacz.
The Polish
player had a slow start, conceding his service in the first game. With a break
in his favor, Zhang took the lead in the early games, going up 3-1. However,
Hurkacz gained an advantage with his service, capitalized on his opponent's
errors, and won the next five games to take the set 6-3.
In the
second set, Zhang suffered another break that put Hurkacz in a 2-0 lead,
totaling seven consecutive games won. Despite the favorable position for the
Polish player, Zhang improved both his serving and defensive play, putting
pressure on Hurkacz's second serve, winning 67% of those points compared to
Hubi's 40%.
In the
sixth game, Zhang staged a comeback, securing a break and significantly raising
his level. The Chinese player managed to recover by extending rallies with
Hurkacz, particularly targeting his backhand, which proved effective. With a
score of 5-4, Zhang gained confidence with the support of the crowd and secured
the break that gave him the second set 6-4.
Hurkacz
took a toilet break at the end of the set, and after the short pause, the
deciding set was evenly contested, with both players holding serve well. It
wasn't until the seventh game that the first break opportunities of the set
appeared, but Hurkacz couldn't capitalize on the only three chances he had.
The match progressed to the tie-break, where Zhang took the lead with two mini-breaks, moving ahead 4-0. The Polish player went all-in, hitting powerful shots that gave him hope, recovering both mini-breaks to level the score at 4-5. Zhang then gave his all during the next two serves by Hurkacz and won two rallies that secured the victory with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4).
In the second round of the tournament, Zhang will face Aslan Karatsev (50th), who caused an upset in the first round by defeating the 6th seed Frances Tiafoe (14th).
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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