Zhang advances in French Open qualifiers

China’s Zhang Ze notched a straight-sets victory over Filip Horansky of Slovakia on Monday to advance to the second round of the French Open men’s singles qualifiers in Paris.

Meanwhile, China’s Li Zhe lost to Croatia’s Nino Serdarusic.

“It was a tough match,” Zhang told Xinhua. “China’s men’s players are not quite familiar with clay, so it’s difficult to prepare for the clay season. I came here three weeks ahead of schedule, hoping to make a breakthrough on this court.”

Zhang bettered Horansky by 10 percent on first serve and 19-16 on winners.

“Clay is not my favorite surface. I will march forward game after game, and try to play at my best level,” added Zhang, who will face Italy’s Salvatore Caruso in round two.