Zhang Zhizhen of China hits a return against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland during their first round men's singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on Oct 6, 2019. (HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)

BEIJING - Zhang Zhizhen became the first male player from the Chinese mainland to break into the top 100 in the ATP live rankings after advancing into the quarterfinals of the Napoli Cup on Thursday.

Zhang Zhizhen will next face America's Mackenzie McDonald in the quarterfinals, after he defeated Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4

The qualifier started the day with a 6-4, 7-6 (8) win over Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in the first round, before knocking out sixth seed Sebastian Baez of Argentina 7-6 (5), 7-6 (11) in the second to lift his live ranking to No 96.

ALSO READ: China's Wang Xiyu reaches semifinals of Cluj Napoca Open

"Today's win was tough for me, I played two matches and three tiebreakers in one day," Zhang said. "Being in the top 100 for the first time is a small step for me, but a big step for us."

China's Zhizhen Zhang returns against France's Antoine Hoang during their men's singles first round match on the second day of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 29, 2021. (ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP)

Zhang will next face America's Mackenzie McDonald in the quarterfinals, after he defeated Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4.