Match report
Zheng and Zhang seal China’s victory
China leads Czech Republic 2-0
December 30, 2023
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Zhang Zhizhen in action in Perth on Saturday.
From ATP staff
Zheng Qinwen defeated reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 in a Group E match in Perth, Australia, on Saturday, securing China’s lead in the 2024 United Cup. They achieved a tie-breaking victory.
In the first career match between the top 20 players, 21-year-old Zheng defeated Fondrosova in a close, back-and-forth battle after 1 hour and 48 minutes of play. Zheng, the 2022 WTA Rookie of the Year and 2023 Most Improved Player, built an irreversible 2-0 lead over China in the country’s first ever United Cup tie.
Currently sitting at a career-high No. 15 in the world rankings, Zheng got off to a great start, scoring 12 of the first 13 points and building a commanding 5-0 lead. World No. 7 Vondrusova survived two set points to avoid Bagel, but in the next game Zheng converted his third set point with his sixth forehand winner of the opener.
However, Vondrousova turned things around in the second set despite dropping her serve with a double fault in the first game. The Czech, who won his first Grand Slam title at the All England Club in July, took control with a longer rally and entered the match having won six of the next seven games.
However, Chung regained his aggressive play and made it through the deciding match, earning his sixth career top-10 win. Zheng finished the match the same way he started it, scoring 14 of the final 16 points.
Before, Zhang Zhizhen On Saturday, they made more history for China by giving them their first United Cup victory. The 27-year-old defeated Jiri Rehekka 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Zhang enjoyed an outstanding 2023 season. He became the first player from China to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000, and subsequently rose to No. 52 on the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, the highest ever for a player from East Asia. He also defeated Casper Ruud at the US Open, becoming the first Chinese player to defeat a top-five opponent.
On the second day of the 2024 season, Chan continued where he left off, putting up a tough fight against Rehekka at the RAC Arena. In a heated exchange, the world No. 58 player stood near the baseline and gave instructions, cutting the ball wide and clinching the victory after 2 hours and 20 minutes.
A mixed doubles match will determine the tie in Group E. Serbia, led by Novak Djokovic, is also in Group E.