Zhang Zhizhen Upsets Casper Ruud At US Open | ATP Tour

Zhang Zhizhen earned the most important win of his profession Wednesday when he outlasted World No. 5 Casper Ruud in 5 units on the US Open.

The Chinese language star survived an exciting back-and-forth encounter, upsetting final yr’s finalist Ruud 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 0-6, 6-2 after three hours, 18 minutes. Zhang delivered an impressed efficiency, placing 59 winners to grow to be the primary Chinese language man to earn a High 5 win for the reason that starting of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings (1973). 

The World No. 67, who additionally wanted 5 units to get previous J.J. Wolf within the opening spherical, will subsequent face Australian Rinky Hijikata within the third spherical.

🚨 HISTORY MADE 🚨

Zhizhen Zhang is the primary Chinese language man to earn a win over a High 5 opponent. He defeats Ruud 6-4 5-7 6-2 0-6 6-2.@usopen | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/E28n6P9Ow8

— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 31, 2023

Zhang advances to the third spherical of a serious for the second time in his profession, with the opposite look coming this yr at Roland Garros, the place he misplaced to Ruud of their first Lexus ATP Head2Head Assembly.

The 26-year-old’s revenge match on the fifth seed is a welcome sight to Zhang after final yr’s heartbreak at Flushing Meadows. He let slip seven match factors within the first spherical earlier than falling to Dutchman Tim van Rijthoven in 5.

“Final yr on the US Open, I can say it was a nasty reminiscence. However this yr is a little bit bit totally different,” stated Zhang.

Ought to Zhang attain the fourth spherical, he can have an opportunity to grow to be the primary Chinese language male to crack the High 50 of the Pepperstone ATP Dwell Rankings.