In a thrilling finale, 19-year-old sensation Juncheng Shang clinched his maiden ATP title at the Chengdu Open, defeating Italian Olympic bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti 7-6 (4), 6-1. This remarkable achievement makes Shang the second Chinese player to claim an ATP crown, following in the footsteps of Wu Yibing, who made history last year. Currently ranked 55th in the world and China’s No. 2, Shang’s victory marks a significant milestone in his young career.
Meanwhile, in the Hangzhou Open, Croatian wild card Marin Cilic scripted a stunning comeback, becoming the lowest-ranked champion in ATP Tour history. The 35-year-old, who has been battling a knee injury, secured his first title since 2021 with a hard-fought 7-6(5) 7-6(5) win over China’s top-ranked player and sixth seed Zhang Zhizhen. This triumph catapulted Cilic from 777th to 212 in the ATP rankings, marking his 21st career title.
Shang’s impressive performance has also boosted his chances of qualifying for the prestigious Next Gen ATP Finals, set to take place in Saudi Arabia later this year. The competition will feature the world’s top 20-and-under singles players of the ATP Tour season. As China continues to make strides in the tennis world, Shang’s achievement is a testament to the country’s growing talent and potential for success in the sport.
Leave a Reply