Zhang Zhizhen of China hits a return during the men's singles match against Zizou Bergs of Belgium in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
SYDNEY, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Zhizhen produced a stirring performance on Saturday to overcome Zizou Bergs in a comeback victory as China edged Belgium at the mixed teams United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney.
After Zhu Lin lost in straight sets to Elise Mertens in the women's singles, an inspired Zhang proved he had returned to full fitness with a 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 7-5 win in a match lasting almost three hours.
Zhang and Zhu then teamed up to defeat Bergs and Mertens in a thrilling mixed doubles match, prevailing 5-7, 7-6 (5), 10-6 as China emerged victorious in Group B to open competition play in Sydney after the tournament started in Perth on Friday.
Zhang will be encouraged by his rousing performance in the men's singles that was marked by strong serving and crisp movement around the court.
The 29-year-old had been hoping to hit the ground running after an injury-plagued 2025 season saw him tumble to No. 410 in the rankings. The former world No. 31 has remodeled his forehand following a shoulder injury that sidelined him for six months.
Zhang unfurled his new-look forehand to devastating effect, but could not get a look into Bergs' formidable serve. The first set was inevitably decided in the tiebreak where Bergs came up clutch in key moments as he slid across the hardcourt.
In a mirror image, both players easily clinched their service games in the second set until the 12th game where an inspired Zhang had a couple of break points.
He was left flustered when he could not convert as Bergs forced another tiebreak.
After unforced errors proved costly in the first set tiebreak, Zhang was in the zone and sped to a 4-1 lead before forcing a deciding set much to the delight of the Chinese fans in the bleachers.
Zhang confidently moved around the court in the third set and finally cracked Bergs' serve in the 11th game to produce the first break of the match. Zhang then clinched victory with an ace before unleashing a fist pump to his compatriots in the crowd.
"I'm super happy, I never gave up and I remained patient," Zhang said. "My team gave me a lot of confidence and there were a lot of Chinese people in the crowd."
Earlier, Zhu hoped to start the new season by recapturing the form that saw her rise to a career-high ranking of 31 in 2023.
But the 31-year-old was helpless against the accuracy of Mertens, who moved her from side to side by hitting the lines. 20th-ranked Mertens came out blazing as she won five of the first six games to set the tone.
Mertens, more noted for her doubles prowess, was in superb touch and capitalized on an error-strewn performance from Zhu, who sprayed wide at the net to slump to a dispiriting 6-2, 6-2 defeat in one hour, 18 minutes.
"I'm very happy to be back and to start on a good note," said Mertens, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 12 in 2018. "The first match is about getting the balls and the mentality, so I'm very happy that I could close out this one."
China faces Canada in the night session on Sunday.
Host Australia plays Norway later on Saturday in Sydney, while title holders the United States faces Argentina in Perth. ■
Zhang Zhizhen of China celebrates during the men's singles match against Zizou Bergs of Belgium in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Elise Mertens of Belgium serves to Zhu Lin of China during the women's singles match in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhu Lin of China hits a return to Elise Mertens of Belgium during the women's singles match in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zizou Bergs of Belgium reacts during the men's singles match against Zhang Zhizhen of China in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen of China serves during the men's singles match against Zizou Bergs of Belgium in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen of China serves during the men's singles match against Zizou Bergs of Belgium in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhu Lin of China hits a return during the women's singles match against Elise Mertens of Belgium in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Elise Mertens of Belgium celebrates during the women's singles match against Zhu Lin of China in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhang Zhizhen of China hits a return during the men's singles match against Zizou Bergs of Belgium in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhu Lin of China serves to Elise Mertens of Belgium during the women's singles match in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zizou Bergs of Belgium celebrates during the men's singles match against Zhang Zhizhen of China in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Zhu Lin of China celebrates during the women's singles match against Elise Mertens of Belgium in the Group B round robin match between China and Belgium at the 2026 United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
