The response was pure and joyous. The achievement, simple.
Chalk up one other nice second for Chinese language tennis in Shanghai, as 20-year-old Juncheng Shang took out Karen Khachanov 7-6(3), 6-3 for his first profession High 10 victory.
The Chinese language got here by means of an up-and-down opening set (he was a break up, then a break down) to take it in a tiebreak. The second set was useless even till Shang broke for 5-3 when Khachanov missed a straightforward volley huge of the sideline and smashed a ball into the ether, incomes a code violation.
Shang then held at like to clinch his victory.
“Unbelievable match at this time towards Karen. He’s a really strong High 10 participant,” Shang mentioned. “I didn’t begin completely within the match, however stored preventing, stored focusing each level, was enjoying actually completely satisfied, regardless of profitable or dropping.”
By doing so, world No.237 (previously No.47) Shang turns into the youngest Chinese language participant to ever attain the third spherical in Shanghai, and retains alive a run of three consecutive appearances by Chinese language males within the third spherical in Shanghai. Zhang Zhizhen did it in 2023, reaching the fourth spherical, whereas Wu Yibing reached the third spherical final yr earlier than falling to Carlos Alcaraz.
It’s been a tough yr for Shang, who suffered a proper foot harm on the Australian Open and needed to have surgical procedure in March. He was ranked No.50, however after a six-month hiatus he returned to Canada this summer time exterior of the High 100.
Shang, who was 0-6 vs the High-10 previous to his win over Tenth-ranked Khachanov, is now the fourth Chinese language man in historical past to defeat a High 10 participant, together with Wu, Zhang and Bu Yunchaokete – all of these victories have come within the final three years.
Shang’s grandmother was in attendance, and Shang mentioned that she was attempting to present him tactical recommendation from her seat.
“I’m glad that I didn’t hearken to her, however tremendous completely satisfied to have household right here, having them watching is unimaginable.”
Requested how he closed out the match so calmly, he mentioned:
“I feel general I simply didn’t suppose an excessive amount of, typically the winners come with out pondering,” he mentioned. “Towards gamers like Karen you would possibly solely have one probability to shut it out. If I didn’t it may be a grind within the third set, you by no means know. I’m glad that I stored the main focus.”
