(Milan) Zhang Zhizhen, quarter-finalist this week in the ATP 250 tournament in Naples, secured Monday the first Chinese in the top 100 of the ATP World Rankings.
Posted at 1:08 p.m.
The right-hander born 26 years ago in Shanghai lost Friday in the quarter-finals in Naples, beaten by the American Mackenzie McDonald in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
But the points acquired this week – and the other results in Naples and in the various ATP tournaments of the week – will allow him to integrate the top 100 in the next delivery of the weekly ranking.
Turned professional in 2012, Zhang is currently at 109e rank of the world hierarchy, his best ranking since his debut.
Contacted by AFP, the ATP, which governs men’s professional tennis, calculates that it will point to 97 on Mondaye rank.
“Enter the top 100 is a difficult path,” Zhang told the ATP after qualifying for the quarter-finals. “It’s a small step, but it’s also a big step for men’s tennis in China,” he added.
The Chinese players arrived well before their male colleagues at the top of the world hierarchy. They are currently seven in the top 100 of the WTA, led by Zhang Shuai (26e).
Their predecessor, Li Na, entered the top 10 in the WTA in 2010 and even ranked second in the women’s hierarchy in February 2014.