Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Courtney Walsh

China re-emerges on to tennis landscape in time for Australian Open

China’s Zhang Zhizhen plays a forehand back to Andy Murray during his match at the Kooyong Classic.
China’s Zhang Zhizhen plays a forehand back to Andy Murray during his match at the Kooyong Classic. Photograph: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

On a searing Wednesday at Kooyong, groundbreaking Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen had dual-Wimbledon champion Andy Murray sweating despite the charming surroundings. In the time it took for one train on the Glen Waverley line to depart the adjoining station and the next to arrive, Zhang had swept the first five games of the exhibition match.

A five-time Australian Open finalist, Murray is a popular figure in Melbourne. But as the first Chinese man to play Wimbledon, Zhang also had his share of fans prepared to bake in the sunshine at the traditional home of Australian tennis to watch their hero.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.