HANGZHOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen advanced to the quarterfinals at the ATP 250 Hangzhou Tennis Open after defeating Italy's Mattia Bellucci in straight sets on Saturday.
As China's top-ranked player, Zhang showcased excellent form during the match, dispatching his opponent in just 77 minutes with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-0. This victory secures his spot in the men's singles quarterfinals, marking his seventh consecutive win in Hangzhou, including performances from last year's Asian Games.
Another Chinese player, Bu Yunchaokete, who entered the tournament with a wildcard, also secured a place in the quarterfinals.
Commenting on the success of multiple Chinese players in the tournament, Zhang said, "This year everyone's form and level have improved, sending out a very positive message: this is our home ground, and we can make some moves."
In the quarterfinals, Zhang will face Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena, while Bu will take on Kazakhstan's veteran Mikhail Kukushkin.
On the same day, the top seed and current world number 14, Denmark's Holger Rune, made his debut in Hangzhou. However, the renowned Danish player struggled to find his form and was surprisingly defeated by Japanese qualifier Yasutaka Uchiyama with scores of 5-7, 4-6, ending his run in the men's singles at the round of 16. ■