In a compelling opening encounter at the Australian Open, Denmark's Holger Rune emerged victorious over China's top men's tennis player, Zhang Zhizhen, in a marathon five-set match that stretched over three hours and ten minutes.

The match, held on Tuesday at the Margaret Court Arena, ended with Rune clinching a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory, showcasing both players' resilience and competitive spirit.

Zhang, ranked 49th in the world, showcased formidable service power, delivering 21 aces that challenged Rune throughout the match.

The 28-year-old was determined to replicate his past success at the tournament after winning a match in last year's edition.

However, the rising 21-year-old Rune, seeded 13th and having reached a career-high ranking of four in 2023, ultimately proved too much of an obstacle in his quest for a deeper Grand Slam run.

The match saw Zhang start strongly, taking the first set with a display of precision and power that left Rune struggling on the return.

Zhang's aggressive play was particularly effective in the 10th game, where he served out the set with four consecutive aces.

Despite this dominant start, Rune rallied in the second set, exploiting errors from Zhang to claim his first service break and draw level in the match.

Pacing himself, Rune maintained momentum into the third set, exhibiting strong baseline play and overpowering Zhang with a commanding forehand.

Despite this setback, Zhang showcased his tenacity in the fourth set, using clever tactical play to break Rune’s serve in a crucial eighth game and force a decisive final set.

The fifth set was a testament to the high stakes and tension that had built throughout the match.

Both players exchanged service breaks early on, with Zhang unable to capitalize on a break point in the fifth game, a missed opportunity that proved pivotal.

Ultimately, Rune's ability to elevate his game under pressure secured his progression to the next round, where he is set to face Italy's Matteo Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist.

Post-match, Rune expressed admiration for Zhang's performance, attributing his victory to resilience and tactical adjustments.

'It was definitely an incredibly tough match,' Rune remarked.

'But I'm super happy to get through to the second round.

He was serving very well, and he played very well.

But I'm happy how I fought today.'

Zhang’s gallant performance, despite the loss, has earned him respect among his peers and the admiration of spectators, highlighting his potential for future successes on the international stage.