Courtney Lock Clinches First Title of 2026 in China After Commanding Doubles Triumph
Hope
Zimbabwean tennis star Courtney Lock has secured his first title of the 2026 season after winning the doubles competition at the Kunming Open in Anning, China on Saturday.
The 29-year-old partnered American player Michael Zhu to claim the title following a hard-fought final against the Chinese duo of Zijiang Yang and Zhan Zheng, prevailing 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–3) in two closely contested sets.
Played on the outdoor clay courts at the Hot Springs Tennis Center, the final was a tightly balanced encounter from start to finish, with both sets requiring tiebreaks to separate the two pairs. Lock and Zhu, however, demonstrated greater composure under pressure, delivering key points at crucial moments to secure the championship.
The victory capped an impressive week for the Zimbabwe–American pairing, who dropped just one set en route to the title, showcasing consistency and strong teamwork throughout the tournament.
For Lock, the triumph marks his first title since the 2024 season and his first without his brother and regular doubles partner Benjamin Lock, who is currently sidelined through injury.
The Lock brothers, both key figures in Zimbabwe’s Davis Cup team, enjoyed a successful 2024 campaign together, winning four doubles titles on the ITF circuit.
Saturday’s win in China adds another milestone to Courtney Lock’s career, becoming his 21st doubles title on the ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour, a journey that began with his maiden triumph in Maputo in 2016.
The latest success is expected to boost confidence as he continues his 2026 campaign on the international tennis circuit.
