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China's Zhang Zhizhen, Wang Xinyu reach last 32 at French Open
CGTN
Zhang Zhizhen wins his second round at French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2023. /CFP
Zhang Zhizhen wins his second round at French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2023. /CFP

Zhang Zhizhen wins his second round at French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2023. /CFP

China's Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu reached the men's and women's singles last 32 at the French Open on Thursday, with Zhang making history as the first male singles player from the Chinese mainland to enter the third round at a clay-court major.

Zhang will next play fourth seed Casper Ruud of Norway, and Wang will face world No.1 Iga Swiatek of Poland.

Zhang, who beat Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante in straight sets 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4, wasted a match point in the ninth game of the third set but bounced back to seal the victory with a love game.

Wang Xinyu in action during the women's singles second round at French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2023. /CFP
Wang Xinyu in action during the women's singles second round at French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2023. /CFP

Wang Xinyu in action during the women's singles second round at French Open in Paris, France, June 1, 2023. /CFP

Wang also took a straight-set victory over Rebecca Peterson of Sweden, 7-6(5), 6-2.

Peterson committed nine double faults during the match, including a costly one in the 12th game of the first set when she was leading 6-5. Meanwhile, Wang had wasted four set points at 5-3 and one at 5-4, and had to save another three in the 12th game to force a tiebreak before storming to victory.

(With input from Xinhua)

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