Zhang Zhizhen squanders match points, exits ATP Italian Open to Altmaier
Synopsis
Zhang Zhizhen's Rome campaign ended in heartbreak — two missed match points against Daniel Altmaier in the second set proved costly as the Chinese player slumped to a first-round exit. With confidence at a low ebb after recent losses, Zhang now faces a mental battle as much as a physical one to rebuild ahead of the clay-court season.
Key Takeaways
Zhang Zhizhen lost to Daniel Altmaier 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the first round of the ATP Italian Open on 6 May .
Zhang squandered two match points in the ninth game of the second set before being broken.
Zhang won the opening set 6-4 but could not convert his advantage into victory.
Zhang acknowledged that recent poor form has dented his confidence, targeting "a couple of wins in a row" to rebuild.
Altmaier advances to face second seed Alexander Zverev in the second round.
China's Zhang Zhizhen squandered two match points in the second set and crashed out of the ATP Italian Open on Wednesday, 6 May, losing to Germany's Daniel Altmaier in a three-set comeback, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4. The defeat marked a first-round exit for Zhang, who had entered the Rome tournament using a protected ranking and held a 1-0 head-to-head record against Altmaier from their 2023 meeting.
How the match unfolded
Zhang controlled the opening set, breaking in the third game and closing it out 6-4. The second set proved decisive: Zhang broke in the fifth game to lead 3-2, but Altmaier broke back immediately. Zhang responded with a love break in the seventh game to move within touching distance, then earned two match points in the ninth game. However, he failed to convert either opportunity. Altmaier broke serve in the tenth game and forced a tiebreak, which the German won 7-3 to level the match.
The decisive set
In the third set, Zhang double-faulted in the third game, conceding an early break. Both players held serve thereafter, and Altmaier sealed the victory 6-4 to complete his comeback.
Zhang's candid assessment
Zhang attributed the loss partly to a dip in confidence stemming from recent poor form. "Recently, it's been quite tough. I haven't won many matches, and my confidence isn't very high," he said post-match. "If I had a bit more confidence, that service game at 5-4 in the second set could have been different." He outlined his immediate objective: "to win a couple of matches in a row and rebuild confidence."
What's next in Rome
Altmaier advances to face second seed Alexander Zverev in the second round. Meanwhile, Italy's Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, begins his title defence 590 points down in the PIF ATP Live Rankings — the first time since the Australian Open in January that he will be protecting ranking points at a major tournament. Sinner faces a similar scenario at Roland Garros later this month, where he will defend 1,300 points after reaching the 2025 final.
Alcaraz's injury impact
In a significant shift to the rankings picture, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz — Sinner's chief rival — is already guaranteed to drop 3,000 ranking points across both Rome and Roland Garros. Alcaraz will not defend his titles at either tournament due to a right wrist injury, opening a potential window for other contenders in the clay-court season.
Point of View
Such mental lapses at critical junctures are unforgivable. The broader concern: Zhang's candid admission that recent results have eroded his belief. Without a quick turnaround, he risks sliding further down the rankings as the clay season accelerates.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Zhang Zhizhen vs Daniel Altmaier at the ATP Italian Open?
Altmaier won 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the first round on 6 May. Zhang won the opening set 6-4 but lost the next two sets to suffer a first-round exit.
How many match points did Zhang Zhizhen miss?
Zhang missed two match points in the ninth game of the second set while leading 5-4. He failed to convert either, and Altmaier broke serve in the tenth game to force a tiebreak.
What did Zhang say after the match?
Zhang acknowledged that recent poor form has affected his confidence. He said: "If I had a bit more confidence, that service game at 5-4 in the second set could have been different." His immediate goal is to "win a couple of matches in a row and rebuild confidence."
Who did Daniel Altmaier face in the second round?
Altmaier advanced to face second seed Alexander Zverev in the second round of the ATP Italian Open.
Is this Zhang Zhizhen's first meeting with Altmaier?
No. Zhang and Altmaier have met once before, in 2023, when Zhang won their head-to-head encounter. This was their second meeting overall.
