Chinese tennis star Zhang Zhizhen’s Wimbledon run ended in a nail-biting fourth-set tiebreak against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff on Wednesday. Despite becoming the first male player from the Chinese mainland to earn a Grand Slam seed 🌱, Zhang fell short 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(1), 7-6(10-8) after a fierce battle lasting over three hours.
Zhang, who recently made history by winning main draw matches at all four majors, grabbed an early lead but couldn’t hold off Struff’s powerful serves. The German veteran, fresh off his first ATP title in Munich, turned the match around with ruthless tiebreak dominance. 🏋️♂️
But it wasn’t all heartbreak for Chinese fans! Zhu Lin delivered a standout performance, advancing further in her bracket (details TBD). 🎉 Meanwhile, doubles duo Zhang Shuai and Japan’s Miyu Kato secured their spot in the next round, keeping hopes alive for a trophy contender. 👯♀️
Zhang Zhizhen’s exit marks the end of a groundbreaking grass-court season that saw him rise to World No. 33—tying the record set by Chinese Taipei’s Lu Yen-hsun. Struff now faces fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev in a high-stakes third-round clash. 🔥
