China's Zhang Zhizhen stunned Casper Ruud of Norway to earn the biggest win in his career with a five-set victory to reach the U.S. Open third round on Wednesday.
Zhang, ranked 67th in the world, became the first Chinese man to clinch a top-five win since the ATP Rankings were first introduced in 1973, eliminating last year's runner-up 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 0-6, 6-2 in three hours and 18 minutes.
"Last year at the U.S. Open, I can say it was a bad memory. But this year is a little bit different," said Zhang, who squandered seven match points to suffer an opening exit against Duth Tim van Rijthoven a year ago.
Zhang Zhizhen in action during men's singles second round at U.S. Open in New York, U.S., August 30, 2023. /CFP
Zhang, 26, beat local J.J. Wolf in a five-set opener, and will next face 110th ranked Australian Rinky Hijikata, against whom a victory can potentially send Zhang into world top 50, which will be another record for a male Chinese singles player.
Zhang was the first Chinese man to break into the top 100 in the world rankings last October, and the first to reach an ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal round at this year's Madrid Open.
This was the second time for Zhang to reach the third round of a major, while in his first appearance he was halted by none other but Ruud in their first encounter at this year's French Open.
Zhu Lin in action during women's singles second round at U.S. Open in New York, U.S., August 30, 2023. /CFP
Earlier on Wednesday, China's Zhu Lin stunned former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-3, 6-3 to reach the women's singles third round, joined by fellow Chinese Wang Xinyu who downed Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
This was the sixth time Zhu defeated a world Top 20 player, as she broke first in both sets to set up her next match against 15th seed Belinda Bencic from Switzerland, whom she last played against back in 2014.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic of Serbia eased past Spain's Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in the men's singles second round as he continues his hunt for a record-extending men's 24th Grand Slam title.
Women's singles world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland was made to work by a feisty Daria Saville of Australia to advance to the third round with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
(With input from agencies)