World No. 277 Zhou Yi stunned 24th seed Lorenzo Musetti to record his biggest career win, advancing to the third round of the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Friday night.
Wildcard Zhou Yi stunned former world No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti, 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-6(1), in two hours and 28 minutes to secure his first career Top 30 win at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center.
In his on-court interview, the 21-year-old said: "It’s been amazing. It’s hard to describe. It’s got to be one of the toughest matches I’ve played.
"I really enjoy the process, and I’m really happy to still stay on this court the next two days. I’m really happy to see myself play on center court again and see myself improve."
The Chinese player fended off three set points in an edgy first-set tiebreak to pocket the opener 7-6(7).
The Italian, who skipped the Japan Open due to a right ring finger fracture sustained during practice last month, bounced back, taking the second set 6-3 to force a decider.
Musetti saved both break points he faced and won 10 more points than the local player, who found a way through.
Playing with aggression, the young Chinese closed out the third-set tiebreak 7-6(1) to reach the third round at the Masters 1000 for the first time.
Overall, he saved four of five break points and won 74 percent of the points on his first serve.
Next, he will face former champion Hubert Hurkacz, who earlier shocked 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 in 87 minutes.
Discussing his upcoming first meeting with the 2023 Shanghai winner, Zhou commented: "I prefer playing aggressively, but I know that the only way the outcome is going to be on my side is for me to play my game.
"I cannot follow what he’s doing. He’s an incredible player, but I need to show him that I’m also capable of standing on the other side of the court."
On Djokovic's side of the court, there were moments of magic; however, the Serbian, who claimed his seventh title at the China Open earlier this week, seemed to struggle physically.
Meanwhile, the big-serving Pole took the better of his adversary in their baseline exchanges while staying solid behind his serve, winning 82 percent of the points on his first serve.
After recording his first win over the former world No.1, Hurkacz outlined: "It’s a special night. I’ve been playing Novak for like seven years, so it’s been unsuccessful, but [he has been] such a great champion for so many years.
"Being on Tour, at the top, and he just won Beijing, so it’s a very difficult ask to play against him, but also it is a pleasure for me to share a court with him, to play such a legend of the sport."
Hurkacz and Zhou have never met on Tour before. An intriguing contest awaits us.