Zhou Yi lost to Huang Zelin in Seoul and missed the Australian Open qualifiers, shedding tears after the match, with fans urging him not to cry.

The Seoul Challenger semifinal took place today, with Zhou Yi losing 6-7(2), 6-4, 2-6 to Hong Kong player Huang Zelin after losing a 2-0 lead in the deciding set, thus failing to reach the final.

Even before the match started, the atmosphere was tense. This semifinal in Seoul was about more than just entry to the final; it was also tied to the valuable qualification spot for next year’s Australian Open. For 20-year-old Zhou Yi, this was one of the most important matches of his career so far.

Moreover, this semifinal between Zhou Yi and Huang Zelin attracted significant attention from tennis fans because Huang had just defeated China’s top player Bu Yunchaokete in straight sets the day before and was in excellent form. Therefore, if Huang could continue to beat mainland Chinese players consecutively, it would be a remarkable story.

From a technical standpoint, Zhou Yi boasts an outstanding serve along with powerful forehand attacks and quick net reactions. However, his game has clear weaknesses—his consistency in long rallies and his backhand offense need improvement. Huang Zelin, as the tournament’s top seed ranked 161st in the world, shone at this year’s US Open, setting a new high for Asian players there, proving his strong capabilities.

Although the two players had never faced each other officially before, both were on the rise in their careers and equally hungry for victory.

At the start of the match, both players quickly found their rhythm. The first set saw fierce competition with the score going back and forth, eventually leading to a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Huang Zelin dominated 7-2 to take the opening set.

Losing the first set put Zhou Yi on the back foot, but he didn’t give up. In the second set, he improved his shot stability and baseline patience, winning 6-4 to even the match at one set apiece, pushing the contest into a deciding set.

The final set brought dramatic shifts. Zhou Yi broke serve early and took a 2-0 lead, with victory seemingly within reach. At that moment, countless Chinese fans watching hoped to see Zhou advance to the final and secure his spot in the Australian Open qualifiers. However, tennis matches can change in an instant.

Zhou Yi’s mental state suddenly faltered while leading, allowing Huang Zelin to launch a comeback. With greater experience, Huang scored consecutive points, broke back quickly, and then won multiple games in a row. Zhou’s emotions unraveled, and he shed tears several times during the final set. Ultimately, the deciding set ended 2-6, and Zhou lost this nearly three-hour semifinal with regret.

When the last ball landed, Zhou Yi stood in the center of the court, tears streaming down. This usually cheerful 20-year-old could no longer hold back his emotions in such a critical match in his career.

Men don’t often cry, except when deeply hurt. This loss meant that a year’s worth of hard work had gone to waste, and he missed the chance to enter next year’s Australian Open.

Looking at the post-match statistics, Zhou Yi’s performance fluctuated greatly throughout. Although he served many aces, he also made numerous unforced errors, especially struggling with key points in the final set. This year, Zhou has repeatedly faced similar issues, having lost final-set tiebreaks to American Michael Zheng, Taiwanese Hsu Yu-Hsiou, and Dutchman De Jong. Improving his mental toughness on crucial points remains a priority.

After the match, netizens shared their thoughts and opinions.

One commenter encouraged him, saying, “Still young, keep going! After all, you have great physical potential!” Supportive voices dominated, with most fans believing Zhou is still young and has unlimited potential ahead.

Although he missed the Australian Open qualifiers, Zhou Yi’s tennis career is just beginning. With his current level, as long as he works hard in upcoming tournaments, even if he misses the Australian Open spot for now, he still has a chance to qualify for the other three Grand Slams next year. In the first half of next year, Zhou only has 6 points to defend, giving him ample room to improve his ranking.

Wiping away his tears, Zhou Yi’s tennis journey is just starting. This defeat is painful but also a valuable lesson on the path to growth. At only 20 years old, he has many possibilities ahead. For Zhou, the dream of Grand Slam success is only postponed, never lost.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)