Zhang Zhizhen hits a return during the men's singles first round match between Zhang Zhizhen of China and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands at Wimbledon tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Zhang Zhizhen of China missed the chance to make history again as the world No. 52 was knocked out by Botic Van De Zandschulp of the Netherlands in a five-set thriller in the opening round match at Wimbledon on Thursday.

The match, which commenced on Tuesday, had been postponed twice due to continuous rainfall at the All England Club. Van De Zandschulp, who reached the fourth round here last year, came from one set down to clinch the victory 2-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-2 after four hours and one minute.

Zhang bounced back in the fourth set after losing two tiebreaks, before suffering an early break in the decider during which he wasted three break points in the third game that cost his hopes to level the score.

Zhang managed to save a match point in the eighth game at 40-15, but an unforced error at net handed the victory to his opponent.

Before coming to the grass-court swing, 26-year-old Zhang hit many milestones on the red dirt - becoming the first Chinese men's player in the Open Era to reach the quarterfinals at an ATP1000 tournament and advancing to the third round at Roland Garros.

In a women's second round match, China's Wang Xinyu lost to 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-3, suffering the third defeat against the former world No. 4 in as many head-to-head.

Kenin will next play Elina Svitolina for a place in the round of 16.

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