Zhang Zhizhen’s two victories in one day help Chinese tennis make history, netizens say: Davis Cup World Group I, here we come!

With the Chinese team winning two consecutive matches on the final day of the Davis Cup World Group I playoffs, another new milestone for Chinese tennis has been achieved!

Although on the first day, China faced a setback when Bu Yunchaokete lost first, Wu Yibing held firm under pressure to defeat Portugal’s Borges and even the overall score, keeping China’s hopes of advancing alive, there was still great uncertainty about whether China could win two straight matches on the final day to secure their promotion spot.

Besides the uncertainty over whether the “Zhanyi Duo” of Zhang Zhizhen and Zhou Yi could overcome Borges and Cabral, the biggest concern was the subsequent appearance of Bu Yunchaokete.

Many believed that little Bu, who failed to secure even a single break point against Portugal’s little-known Rosa on the opening day and lost 4-6, 4-6, stood no chance against Borges. Moreover, if Zhang and Zhou’s doubles faltered and Bu lost again, Portugal would clinch the victory with a 3-1 lead, making Wu Yibing’s later match unnecessary.

Therefore, the outcome of the first doubles match by the “Zhanyi Duo” was crucial, directly determining whether China’s fate in the Davis Cup World Group I playoffs would be hopeful or grim.

Both teams understood the importance of this doubles match and engaged in fierce competition from the very start of the first set.

Just when everyone worried that Zhang and Zhou might falter under pressure as the match dragged on, surprisingly, it was Borges who first showed signs of struggle.

Under pressure, the Portuguese player committed three double faults in the fifth game. Zhang and Zhou seized this golden opportunity, successfully breaking serve to take the first set 6-4 and move within one set of victory.

Fans and netizens had only just celebrated China’s lead when Borges’ pair quickly retaliated with a 6-3 win in the second set, leveling the overall score strongly.

However, in the decisive final set, when Zhang and Zhou reached 5-4, the peak moment of the entire match, Borges’ duo faltered again in a critical service game. After securing the key break, Zhang and Zhou closed out the set 6-4, giving China a 2-1 lead over Portugal.

With the initiative to advance now in hand, China only needed to win one more match to lock in this precious promotion spot and announce their first-ever advancement to the Davis Cup World Group I under the current format, creating a new chapter in Chinese tennis history.

Before the second singles match began, as fans and netizens discussed China’s chances of promotion, many focused on Wu Yibing, openly stating that at this historic moment in the Davis Cup, it was likely Wu would be the one to appear last. The main reason being a lack of confidence in Bu Yunchaokete’s ability to beat Borges.

When this much-anticipated match started, it was revealed that China had adjusted their lineup, replacing Bu Yunchaokete with Zhang Zhizhen to face Borges.

Although Zhang had just won a doubles match and his confidence and morale were high, there were still some concerns outside about whether his stamina would hold up.

In fact, with Portugal trailing in the overall score, Borges fought desperately against Zhang. Through the first ten games of the opening set, the two remained neck and neck, turning the match into a battle of both skill and mental strength.

Under immense pressure from Borges, Zhang decided to go all out and ultimately delivered an outstanding forehand attack at a crucial moment to break Borges’ serve decisively, winning the first set 7-5 in a hard-fought battle. Seeing China’s former top player push himself to the limit without showing signs of fatigue reassured everyone.

The second set proved to be the toughest test for Zhang Zhizhen!

When Zhang fell behind 0-3 at the start of this set, the live chat quickly filled with talk about whether the former Chinese number one was about to be overturned.

It is often said that team tennis events inspire a player’s sense of national pride and mission at critical moments, unleashing extraordinary energy; this was clearly demonstrated by Zhang Zhizhen this time.

Through patience and tactical exchanges with Borges, Zhang not only caught up but struck back at a key moment to win the set 6-4, completing a stunning comeback in the deciding set and helping China secure a 3-1 victory over Portugal, sealing a historic moment for Chinese tennis in the Davis Cup.

“Davis Cup World Group I, here we come!” After this phrase flooded screens post-match, fans and netizens praised China’s wise decision to substitute Zhang Zhizhen for Bu Yunchaokete at the last moment. Without this move, whether this thrilling historic moment would have come might have depended on Wu Yibing’s final match, which could have been nerve-wracking for fans with weak hearts!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moonlight River’s Starry Sky)