Chinese Tennis Star Shang Juncheng Triumphs Over Former World No. 4Kei Nishikori in Chengdu Open Debut
Chengdu, China – China’s rising tennis star Shang Juncheng made a stunning debut at the Chengdu Open, defeating former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan in straight setson Thursday. The 19-year-old Shang, who hails from a family of athletes, showcased his impressive skills and composure, securing a 6-4,6-4 victory over the veteran Nishikori.
Shang, whose father is former Chinese national football player Shang Yi and mother is table tennis world champion Wu Na, began playing tennis at the age of five. He rose to prominence in2021 when he finished runner-up in the US Open boys’ singles, becoming the world’s top-ranked junior player. In 2023, he made his Australian Open debut, qualifying for the main draw andsecuring a historic victory for mainland China in the men’s singles.
This year, Shang has continued to impress, climbing to a career-high ranking of 67th in the world. He has consistently performed well in major tournaments, reaching the third round of both the Australian Open and the US Open.
Thematch against Nishikori was a highly anticipated clash. The two players have known each other since their time training together at the IMG Academy in Florida, and they are familiar with each other’s playing styles. In 2023, Nishikori defeated Shang in the ATP 250 Atlanta Open, making thisChengdu Open encounter a rematch.
The first set was a tight affair, with both players trading blows and the score remaining close. However, Shang managed to break Nishikori’s serve in the 10th game to secure the first set 6-4.
The second set saw Nishikori take an early lead, but Shang quickly responded to level the score at 1-1. The two players continued to battle back and forth, with the score tied at 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, and 4-4. However, Shang ultimately proved too strong for Nishikori, winning thefinal two games to clinch the set 6-4 and the match 2-0.
I feel more relaxed with each match I play, said Shang after the victory. There’s no pressure on the tour, I just want to enjoy every match.
He added that he doesn’t likesetting specific goals, but he aims to give his all in every match. I’m satisfied with giving 100%, he said.
Shang also acknowledged that he has learned valuable lessons from his experiences this year. Overall, my abilities have improved, he said. I’ve learned from mymistakes and gained some good experience.
The young star also spoke about his expectations for the Chengdu Open. I’ve lowered my expectations for this tournament, he said. It’s not that I don’t want to win, but I’m just enjoying the atmosphere and the support from the crowd. Iwant to play my best and enjoy the experience.
Shang’s victory over Nishikori is a significant moment for Chinese tennis. It demonstrates the growing strength of Chinese players on the international stage and highlights the potential of Shang to become a major force in the sport. His impressive performance in Chengdu, coupled with his recent successes, has raised hopes that he could become the first Chinese male player to reach the top 10 in the world rankings.
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