Madrid – Zhang overthrows Fritz and becomes the first Chinese in the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000

Zhizhen Zhang, 99th in the world promised to invite himself into the top 70 on Monday, became the first Chinese player to qualify for the quarter-finals of a Masters 1000 in Madrid on Tuesday, overthrowing Taylor Fritz (3-6, 7 -6 (7/5), 7-6). To get his first-ever victory over a top-10 player, Zhang (26) saved three match points in the deciding tie-break.

The day before, the native of Shanghai had obtained against Cameron Norrie (13th) his first success against a player from the top 20, already winning the decisive games in the last two sets (2-6, 7-6 (7/2 ), 7-6 (7/2)). Zhang had already become the first Chinese to earn a place in the top 100 of the ATP rankings in October 2022. He is now guaranteed to climb at least to 66th place on Monday, the best of his career.

For a place in the last four, he will face Aslan Karatsev, surprise semi-finalist of the Australian Open 2021 who fell outside the top 100, who fell (7-6, 6-4) from world No.3 Daniil Medvedev earlier. during the day.