JACK SEEKS TRIPLE TONIC

Chinese star Zhang can push him to limit

- NEIL McLEMAN

JACK DRAPER will get no rest in his opening match of the US Open against 'Triple-Z' - the long-haired Chinese No.1 who loves Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Zhizhen Zhang became the first Chinese man to play at Wimbledon in 2021 and won an Olympic silver medal in the mixed doubles in Paris.

The world No.41 is quickly making his name in the sport - even if it is a challenge to pronounce for non-Chinese speakers.

"My full name is too hard for people to say, so I just tell them to say whatever they want to call me and I will respond," he laughed. "Then it became ZZZ because there are three Zs in my name.

"It is much easier for people outside of China to say. And it sounds cool. Triple-Z.

I also like to sleep, so 'ZZZ' is perfect." Triple-Z (inset), who is 6ft 4in, offers a huge threat to Draper and is also destined to be a big star in his homeland.