Chinese wild card Yi Zhou played the match of his life to upset fifth seed Cameron Norrie in the first round of the 2025 Chengdu Open, needing two tie-breakers to defeat the Brit, 6-7 6-4 7-6, at the Sichuan International Tennis Center.
Zhou played with remarkable resilience to secure a notable victory on home soil, and this win marks a significant milestone in his career, highlighting his potential on the ATP Tour.
The signs were ominous early as Norrie dragged the first set to a tie-break, which he managed to close out comfortably. However, the youngster regrouped and broke his more accomplished opponent in the first game of the second set and later in the seventh to clinch the second set despite losing his serve once. Both players held on to their serves in the decider, but it was the Chinese youngster who showed more agility to win the tie-breaker and the match.
Zhou’s performance was particularly impressive in the final set, where he maintained composure and capitalized on key moments to stay in the contest and eventually clinch the match as Norrie struggled to find his rhythm. The world No. #34 couldn’t just seem to find a way past the world No. #304, having just arrived in China a few days earlier after competing for Team Great Britain in the Davis Cup against Poland in Gdynia.
Zhou will now face the winner of the encounter between Frenchman Quentin Halys and Australian Christopher O’Connell in the second round.
Main Photo Credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
