Zhang Zhizhen became the first man from China to win men’s singles gold at the Asian Games since 1994 after a comeback triumph over Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki in Hangzhou on Saturday.

The world No. 60 overturned a 1-4 opening set deficit to win the final 6-4 7-6(7) and claim tennis singles gold for China for the first time since Pan Bing won both the 1990 and 1994 editions of the Games.

Zhang follows in the footsteps of compatriot Zheng Qinwen, who all but assured her place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Tennis Event after winning women’s singles gold on Friday.

Zhang is set to join her at next year’s Games, the latest milestone achievement in an exceptional 12 months for the 26-year-old from Shanghai.

Last October, he became the first Chinese player to break into the ATP Top 100 and went on to climb as high as No. 52 in July, having also reached the third round at a Grand Slam for the first time at both Roland Garros and the US Open.

Also on Saturday, India’s Rohan Bopanna, 43, defied the years to partner Rutuja Bhosale to mixed doubles gold, beating Chinese Taipei’s Liang En-shuo and Huang Tsung-hao 2-6 6-3 10-4.

Chan Hao-ching and Chan Yung-jan won the women’s doubles, overcoming fellow-Chinese Taipei duo Lee Ya-hsuan and Liang 6-4 6-3.

Click here for all the results from the tennis events at the 2023 Asian Games