December 22, 2024
Shang Juncheng triumphed against former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-4 in a first-round encounter of the highest caliber at the Chengdu Open on Thursday in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
The 19-year-old left handed Chinese star Shang who is one of the most exciting prospects on the ATP Tour, showed why against Nishikori.
He fought off two break points and hit cleanly from both wings when serving for the match in the second set. Eventually, he advanced to even the Lexus ATP Head to Head match between the two players at 1-1.
Shang was full of praise for Nishikori after his win.
“His returns are unbelievable, some of the best in the world,” Shang said. “His game is taking the ball early. He doesn’t give you much time and he can defend anything that is coming at him. All the players are tricky but it is tough to play him because he moves in the same way as I do. It was a very good match and he is a really good guy and we get along well off the court.”
Shang has achieved a first-ever 20 tour-level victories in a single season, exemplified by his semifinal appearances in Atlanta and Hong Kong. In an effort to increase his prospects of making it to the Next Gen ATP Finals sponsored by PIF, which are scheduled for December 18–22, the lefty will be hoping to play well on home territory during the Asian swing. In the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, Shang is presently in third place.
“The goal for Asia is to be healthy and happy,” Shang said. “I don’t get to play at home much. The fans don’t get to watch the Chinese players much, so it is to have fun.”
The World No. 67 has won his past seven first-round tour-level matches and will next meet Roman Safiullin or Fabio Fognini.
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