Zhang Zhizhen, injured, was overturned and exited in the first round of Shanghai, earning 150,000 yuan but unable to break a three-match losing streak.

Just now, the men’s singles opening round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters took place. Chinese wildcard Zhang Zhizhen, despite taking the first set, was overturned by Argentina’s Sebastián Báez 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, ending his run in the first round. Zhang called for a medical timeout in the final set due to leg pain but failed to resist his rival’s rally, marking his third straight loss on the tour.

Currently ranked 41st in the world, Báez entered as the tournament’s 28th seed and has had a notable season, including wins over top players like Ruud on clay. Although Zhang had home advantage, tennis experts generally believed that the recently returned former Chinese No.1 would struggle to pose a real threat to the consistent Argentine. Báez is known for his solid baseline play and tenacious defense, while Zhang’s match fitness and form are still below par after his comeback.

Before the match, major bookmakers set the odds at 1.72 to 2.10, slightly favoring the more experienced Báez. Renowned tennis commentator Zhang Sheng noted pre-match: “Zhang Zhizhen’s serve is his key weapon, but against a defensive specialist like Báez, he needs to maintain patience during rallies.” This analysis was supported by the post-match statistics.

Looking at recent form, Zhang’s performance since returning to the Chinese season has been underwhelming. Apart from a win over compatriot Buyun Chaokete in the Hangzhou 250 event, he lost to players like Svrčina and Altmaier, achieving only one victory so far. In contrast, Báez, though not strongest on hard courts, has maintained a steady 22-19 win-loss record this season and has demonstrated superior clutch-point performance.

In the first set, Zhang displayed excellent form. He started by holding serve easily with strong service games, then capitalized on Báez’s weak second serve in the fourth game to break and lead 3-1. As the set progressed, Báez’s unforced errors increased, allowing Zhang to break again late and comfortably take the set 6-2.

The second set saw a dramatic shift. Báez adapted to the rhythm and intensified his baseline spins, effectively limiting Zhang’s attacking options. In the third game, the Argentine broke serve for the first time with a brilliant backhand passing shot, gaining a 3-1 lead. Although Zhang threatened a break back in the sixth game, Báez saved it with a strong first serve and eventually won the set 6-3.

The deciding set was fiercely contested. At 2-2, Zhang clearly felt discomfort in his left leg while chasing a ball and requested a medical timeout for treatment. After returning, his movement was noticeably hindered, and he was broken in the fourth game. Despite fighting to hold serve twice while trailing 1-4, Báez sealed the match by winning four straight points in his service game, closing it 6-4 after 2 hours and 17 minutes.

Following this match, Zhang earned $23,250, approximately 150,000 yuan, but has now suffered three consecutive losses on the tour starting from the Hangzhou event. His current ranking remains at 368. For the former Chinese No.1, recovering physically is the most urgent priority right now.

Technical stats after the match show Zhang led in winners 28 to 23, but committed 41 unforced errors—12 more than Báez—which proved decisive. Particularly in break point conversion, Zhang converted only 3 of 11, while Báez succeeded on 4 of 5. The leg injury directly affected Zhang’s serve, with his first-serve percentage dropping sharply to 48% in the final set.

Despite the disappointing loss, fans expressed strong support for Zhang on social media. The topic “Zhang Zhizhen fights injured, exits first round of Shanghai Masters” quickly surpassed 8 million views, with many comments wishing him good health and a full recovery. Veteran fans analyzed: “From the match, Zhang’s level was competitive; he just needs to improve his clutch play and experience.”

Former Chinese men’s team coach Wang Yue commented post-match: “Zhang needs to enhance his fitness and tactical variety, but his serve is definitely competitive at the tour level.” As the season nears its end, tennis experts suggest Zhang should focus on addressing technical weaknesses during the winter training period.

Though this defeat is regrettable, the experience gained from competing against high-level players and regaining match feel will undoubtedly help him as he aims for higher rankings. We look forward to seeing an improved Zhang Zhizhen in the future.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)