Hangzhou Open Singles Draw Unveiled: Wu Yibing and Zhang Zhizhen Set to Compete in First Round

The much-anticipated 2024 Hangzhou Open singles draw ceremony was held on the afternoon of September 16, revealing an exciting lineup for tennis enthusiasts. Hometown favorite Wu Yibing and Olympic mixed doubles silver medalist Zhang Zhizhen are set to face qualifying players in their respective first-round matches, scheduled for September 19.

In accordance with tournament regulations, top seeds Luna and Khachanov have been strategically placed in the upper and lower halves of the draw, respectively. Both players, alongside third seed Echeverri and fourth seed Brandon Nakajima, will bypass the first round with a bye. Marin Cilic, the renowned Croatian who clinched the 2014 US Open men’s singles title, is positioned in the upper half of the draw and is set to battle American player Shvajda in his opening match.

Among the Chinese contenders, Zhang Zhizhen and Zhejiang native Buyun Chaoket are also in the spotlight. Fresh off a triumphant return from the Paris Olympics, Zhang Zhizhen enters the competition as the No. 6 seed and will encounter a qualifier in his initial round. A potential clash with No. 3 seed Echeverri looms in the subsequent round should he advance. Meanwhile, Buyun Chaoket faces a challenging first-round match against Frenchman Gaston. Progressing past this round could set up a high-stakes encounter with No. 2 seed Khachanov.

Wu Yibing finds himself in the upper half of the draw as well, poised to compete against a qualifier in his first-round match. A successful advance would pit him against No. 4 seed Brandon Nakajima in the second round. Nakajima, who has displayed exceptional form this year by reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open, promises to be a formidable opponent. Tournament director Sun Lei acknowledged that while Wu Yibing will face significant challenges, his home-court advantage could play a crucial role in his performance.

The tournament kicks off on September 17 with the first round of singles preliminaries marking the start of what promises to be an exhilarating series of matches.

Author: Chief Reporter Wang Zhenkai Editor: Fang Zhihua