Taking Zhizhen Zhang as an example: It can happen that quickly
Another hit last week in Madrid, now eliminated in the qualification in Rome: Zhizhen Zhang got to know the hardships of tennis again.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
May 09, 2023, 08:39 am
When traveling in ancient as well as modern Rome, it is sometimes worth looking back at the ancient knowledge of Latin that one acquired either in school or through intensive study of Asterix books. If you would like to apply a saying from the large treasure trove of quotes to the tennis circus, then perhaps this one: "Sic gloria transit mundi" - this is how the fame of the world passes.
That's roughly what Zhizhen Zhang must have thought on Monday. Albeit in a different language. Because wasn't it only a few days ago that the Chinese made it to the quarter-finals in Madrid? Naturally. But now Zhang had to play in the Foro Italico to qualify for the next ATP Masters 1000 tournament, and against a local hero: Francesco Maestrelli. It was he who didn't want to hear about Zhang's renewed successful run and won 7:5, 2:6 and 7:5.
Struff and Karatsev not there
And two other surprise men from Madrid will not serve in Rome either: Jan-Lennard Struff and Aslan Karatsev, who faced each other in the Caja Magica first in the qualification and then again in the semifinals. Because at the end of the entry period for Rome, both Struff and Karatsev were far outside the cut. And after the stress in Madrid, starting again in qualifying was understandably too much. Struff had to go over three sets six times.
The example of Zhang, who is 65th in the current ATP world rankings, shows how close the field is. Maestrelli, one of many young Italians, can play as number 182 with the now much higher placed Chinese. But he could just as easily fly out of qualifying against Pedro Martinez today.
Here is the qualifying tableau in Rome
rommap