Published: 10:19, September 20, 2024
China's Zhang, Bu advance to second round of Hangzhou Tennis Open
By Xinhua
This photo released by the ATP tour on its official website shows Zhang Zhizhen of China hitting a return to Denis Yevseyev of Kazakhstan during the ATP 250 Hangzhou Tennis Open in Hangzhou, China's Zhejiang province, on Sept 19, 2024. (PHOTO / ATP TOUR VIA XINHUA)

HANGZHOU - The first round of the singles main draw at the ATP 250 Hangzhou Tennis Open concluded on Thursday, with Zhang Zhizhen and Bu Yunchaokete advancing to the second round. However, local favorite Wu Yibing was forced to withdraw from his match due to injury.

Chinese rising star Bu kicked off the day with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over French player Corentin Moutet, marking his second career win at the tour level. Bu is set to face the tournament's second seed, Russian Karen Khachanov, in the next round.

Local player Wu took on Hong Kong's Coleman Wong Chak-lam, who famously saved five match points against Wu during last year's Hangzhou Asian Games. Unfortunately, Wu sustained a back muscle strain while attempting to retrieve a shot during their match. Although he played on after a medical timeout, Wu had to quit after losing the first set 6-3.

"The injury happened during the third point of my service game when Wong hit a cross-court forehand, and I stretched to reach it," said Wu, expressing his disappointment at being unable to finish the match in his hometown of Hangzhou.

In the evening session, Zhang fought through a tough three-set battle against qualifier Denis Yevseyev, securing a 2-1 victory and extending his winning streak at the "Little Lotus" venue to six matches.

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In the men's doubles, Bu Yunchaokete and Te Rigele triumphed in an all-Chinese derby, defeating Jin Yuquan and Li Zekai 6-3, 6-4.