Zhang Zhizhen rallies to beat Buyunchaokete at ATP Hangzhou Open

A thrilling battle between two home players, Zhang Zhizhen and Buyunchaokete, at the Hangzhou Open in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Thursday, ended after two hours and 47 minutes as a comeback for 28-year-old Zhang 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-6(3) to reach the second round.

Hangzhou Open has a certain special meaning to both players. Last year, Buyunchaokete advanced to the semifinals as a wildcard player and made his name known by the world. Zhang defeated him in the last four to make his first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour final.

The two held in all of their serves in the first nine games when Zhang led 5-4. He then earned two break point in the 12th, but Buyunchaokete saved both keep the first set alive. As the competition entered a tiebreak, Zhang scored the first point, but then conceded six straight points before taking the set and leading 1-0 in the match,

The second set was still close and tied 4-4, but then Zhang exploited constant faults by the opponent to score the first break point of the contest for a 5-4 advantage. He then delivered a love game to level the match 1-1.

Buyunchaokete led 5-4 after nine games in the decider and earned two match points in the 10th. Nonetheless, Zhang served to wipe both before taking the set into another tiebreak. This time, Zhang scored four consecutive points at 2-2 and then ended the battle with an ace. He will play Dalibor Svrcina of the Czech Republic next.