Shanghai Masters returns with plenty for home fans to cheer about in the packed stands

With homegrown stars shining brightly in its highly anticipated return, the new and improved Rolex Shanghai Masters is delivering a real treat for fans.

From the sold-out stands of poster-waving spectators to the bustling scenes around the training courts, where fans crane to a glimpse of their beloved stars, the surging popularity of tennis in Shanghai is everywhere to see at Qizhong Tennis Center.

With more and more urbanites picking up rackets these days, tennis is most definitely in vogue in the famously fashion-conscious city, and the return of the ATP 1000 tournament following a four-year gap due to the pandemic has tapped into that wave of enthusiasm.

Back with an expanded 14-day schedule, including qualifying rounds, the Masters has not disappointed so far, with two Chinese players passing the opening round for the first time on Wednesday to add to the excitement.

Fresh from his Asian Games title run in Hangzhou last week, Chinese No 1 Zhang Zhizhen extended his win streak by blasting past French veteran Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-2 to claim his first victory at his home Masters tournament.

Zhang, who made his Shanghai main-draw debut in 2019 but lost to Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets, is now an altogether more formidable proposition, both physically and mentally, after achieving a string of milestones for Chinese men's tennis over the past 12 months.

With his posters hung up everywhere at the tennis center in Shanghai's southern suburbs and fans swarming to his every practice session, Zhang, the current world No 60, admitted that he feels flattered to be treated like a "superstar "in his home city.

"The last time I saw so many fans at my practice here was when I was practicing with (Roger) Federer as his sparring partner in 2019," Zhang said.

"I was extremely nervous before the match, but once I stepped on the court I just started to focus on playing each point and the tension went away. I am so excited to finally walk off the court in front of my home fans with a win for the first time.

"I was nervous because I knew there were eyes on me. The crowd here expect me to deliver, which is kind of part of the game. I will just try to live with it and enjoy it and use it as a push," said Zhang, who in July rose to a career-best ranking of No 52, the highest spot ever reached by a Chinese man.