MELBOURNE, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Zhizhen, one of China's most accomplished men's players, slumped to a straight-set defeat on Sunday against 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo on the opening day of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
In warm conditions at Margaret Court Arena, the Argentine controlled the first-round match and hit 38 winners in his 6-3, 7-6 (0), 6-3 victory in two hours and eight minutes.
It was the second straight year that Zhang, the former world No. 31, failed to win a match at the season's opening Grand Slam.
Cerundolo, the highest-ranked player from South America, will next play Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"I played really good today, and I'm super happy. It's a great way to start the year," said Cerundolo, who has never progressed past the fourth round of a major.
It was a disappointment for Zhang, who showed glimpses of vintage form at the mixed teams United Cup after an injury-plagued 2025 season saw him tumble down the rankings.
Zhang fought back from a break-down in the second set to force a tiebreak, but his game fell apart with a slew of unforced errors.
Cerundolo put the foot down in the third set and clinched victory when Zhang hit wide at the net. ■
