Asian Games 2023: Zhang Zhizen beats Watanuki Yosuke to win men's tennis gold
The home crowd favourite grinds out a 6-4, 7-6(7) victory over his Japanese opponent to secure a quota at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Hangzhou.
Tennis
Zhang Zhizen of the People's Republic of China defeated Watanuki Yosuke 6-4, 7-6(7) to win the men's tennis gold medal at the Asian Games 2023 on Saturday (3 September), securing a quota for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Zhang trailed his Japanese opponent 4-1 in the first set but found his way back to prevail in a tough affair that lasted nearly two hours.
As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.
"It's been a very, very tough week," said the 60th-ranked Zhang. "Not just this match but very tough for the whole week actually, from the first match onwards.
"But I'm super happy that from the beginning of the first match, step by step, I've played better and better tennis."
Things looked bleak at the start for Zhang, who appeared agitated and dropped his first two service games to world No. 77 Watanuki.
Zhang eventually settled to win the last five games of the first set. In the tiebreak behind 6-4, Watanuki saved two match points to go up 7-6, but Zhang dug deep to capitalise on his third match point, sending the crowd at HOC Tennis Centre into delirium.
"In the first set I told myself to calm down because I was rushing too much," Zhang said. "And in the second set, to be patient, keep going, keep going all the time and try to find some chances."
Watanuki lamented losing his lead in the opening set, which he believed he should have won.
"I had my chance, especially in the first set, but I lost control of my game," he said. "I'm not good enough. I'm full of frustration. It's more about me than him.
"Really wanted the wild card for Paris and it's a shame I missed the opportunity. I still have a shot through the rankings so I need to get better and hopefully, I'll find my way to Paris somehow."