Halle Open: Zhang becomes first Chinese man to reach semis of a grasscourt event

Chinese Zhizhen Zhang edged out American Christopher Eubanks 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to advance to the semi-finals of the Halle Open at the Owl Arena/Gerry-Weber-Stadion on Friday evening.

Zhang, ranked No 42, will play Italian Jannik Sinner, the top seed, next. He’s the first Chinese man to reach the semi-finals of a Tour-level event on grass.

Ahead of his victory, the Chinese edged out Austrian Sebastian Ofner (7-6 (8), 6-7 (3), 6-4) and Russian Daniil Medvedev, the No 3 seed (6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (5)).

Eubanks, ranked No 44, beat Spaniard Pedro Martinez (6-3, 6-4) and Kazakh Alexander Bublik, the No 7 seed (7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3) in the previous rounds of the Halle tournament.

Halle ATP 500, other last eight results (Owl Arena/Gerry-Weber-Stadion, grass, EUR 2.255.655, most recent results first):

• Jannik Sinner beat Jan-Lennard Struff: 6-2, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (3)
• Alexander Zverev (2) beat Arthur Fils: 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4
• Hubert Hurkacz (5) beat Marcos Giron: 7-6 (5), 6-4