Big questions await Chinese players next Saturday!

Before we realize it, this week has already reached its final day. During this week, we witnessed veteran Zhang Shuai winning three consecutive rounds to become the oldest Chinese female tennis player to enter the US Open main draw. Also this week, Wang Xiyu bravely faced a tough draw, defeated several strong opponents, and spectacularly advanced through the US Open qualifiers. Next week, the US Open, Zhangjiagang Challenger, Liu'an Hope Tournament, and Ma'anshan Hope Tournament will all kick off, bringing many questions that Chinese players need to answer. So, what exactly are these questions? Let this article take you through them.

Last week, Mongolian player Buyunchaokete decisively defeated former Top 10 Greek player Tsitsipas, fully demonstrating his strength. Unfortunately, since earning a spot in the Wimbledon qualifiers in 2023, he has yet to secure a win in any Grand Slam main draw match over two years. Next week, Buyunchaokete will face French wildcard entrant Royer in the first round of the US Open. Honestly, this is his best chance to claim a victory. So, can Buyunchaokete overcome his opponent? This is the first question awaiting Chinese players next week!

Among the Top 100, Shang Juncheng is the youngest Chinese male tennis player. Since 2022, he has been the first Chinese male player to break through each season. From Masters tournaments to Grand Slams, Shang Juncheng has achieved a lot along the way. However, having just returned recently, he has suffered two consecutive defeats. In the US Open first round, Shang will face Italian player Matteo Berrettini. Can he reverse his slump and secure his first Grand Slam main draw win of the 2025 season? This is the second question awaiting Chinese players next week!

With Zhang Shuai and Wang Xiyu advancing from the US Open qualifiers, the number of Chinese female players in the US Open has reached six. However, their first-round draws are not favorable; for example, Yuan Yue faces Russian player Samsonova. So, how many Chinese players will overcome difficulties in the first round, defeat their opponents, and advance to the second round? This is the third question awaiting Chinese players next week!

Next week, the Zhangjiagang Challenger will commence, marking the return of Challenger tournaments to China after more than three months. Three months ago, Sun Fajing won five consecutive matches at the Wuxi Challenger to claim his first Challenger title, earning a spot in Grand Slam qualifiers. So, will Chinese male players follow in Sun Fajing’s footsteps and achieve good results at this Challenger? This is the fourth question awaiting Chinese players!

It has been quite a long time since a Chinese female player has won a title at a domestic Hope Tournament. For instance, this week, not a single Chinese female player made it to the semifinals of the Liu'an Hope Tournament. Objectively, the performance of Chinese female players in Hope Tournaments determines the future of Chinese women’s tennis. Next week, can Chinese female players make a strong comeback and perform well at the Liu'an Hope Tournament? This is the fifth question awaiting Chinese players next week!

Almost every week at domestic Hope Tournaments in China, there is a Chinese male player who performs well and surpasses his best result of the season. For example, this week Wang Xiaofei achieved a four-match winning streak, marking his best performance in the 2025 season. So, will there be another Chinese male player who shines and breaks through at the Ma'anshan Hope Tournament next week? This is the sixth question awaiting Chinese players! That’s the tennis story for today; more to come tomorrow.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Yixin Jushi)