Published: 10:20, January 19, 2025
Zhang, Machac rally from set down to advance in doubles at Australian Open
By Xinhua
Zhang Zhizhen (left) /Tomas Machac communicate with each other during the men's doubles quarterfinal between Zhang Zhizhen (China)/Tomas Machac (the Czech Republic) and Ariel Behar (Uruguay)/Adam Pavlasek (the Czech Republic) at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan 23, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

MELBOURNE- Zhang Zhizhen and Tomas Machac came back from a set down to win their second round Australian Open men's doubles match.

China's Zhang and the Czech Republic's Machac beat German duo Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in just over two hours on Saturday night.

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There were only three breaks of the serve in the entire match - one in each set.

Zhang Zhizhen (left)/Tomas Machac compete during the men's doubles quarterfinal between Zhang Zhizhen (China)/Tomas Machac (the Czech Republic) and Ariel Behar (Uruguay)/Adam Pavlasek (the Czech Republic) at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan 23, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Zhang and Machac won only three points more than Schnaitter and Wallner for the entire match in a tight contest that was largely decided in the shorter points.

Of the 103 total points won by Zhang and Machac, 83 were won in 0-4 shots, including 35 of the 42 points they won in the deciding set. By comparison, Schnaitter and Wallner won only 19 short points in the deciding set - down from 30 in the opener.

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With Machac serving for the match at 5-4, the Germans had two break point opportunities to draw level - both of which were saved by volley winners from Zhang.

Zhang Zhizhen/Tomas Machac (right) compete during the men's doubles quarterfinal between Zhang Zhizhen (China)/Tomas Machac (the Czech Republic) and Ariel Behar (Uruguay)/Adam Pavlasek (the Czech Republic) at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan 23, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

At deuce Zhang had another brilliant moment at the net when he left a ball that narrowly landed out, setting up a third match point that Machac converted with an ace.

Earlier, Zhang and Machac saved two break points with the Chinese player serving for the second set.

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An unreturnable wide serve from Zhang brought up set point, which he won with a forehand winner down the line.

Zhang and Machac will face 15th seeds Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the third round.