Zhang Zhizhen suffered a heartbreaking first-round exit at the 2026 ATP1000 Rome Masters on May 6, losing 1-2 to German qualifier Daniel Altmaier after squandering two match points.
The Chinese No.1 started strongly, breaking early to take the opening set 6-4. He carried that momentum into the second set, where he created two match points while serving for the match. However, Altmaier saved both and then turned the tables in the tiebreak, stealing the set to level the contest.
In the decisive third set, Zhang struggled to regain his rhythm. He fought hard but ultimately fell 4-6, sealing his early departure from the Italian capital. The defeat marks a disappointing start to the clay-court season for the 29-year-old, who had shown promising form in recent tournaments.
Altmaier, ranked 62nd in the world, will now advance to the second round, where he will face a higher-seeded opponent. For Zhang, the focus shifts to regrouping ahead of the Madrid Open next week.
