Chengdu Open
Shang Juncheng defeats Alexander Bublik on Sunday at the Chengdu Open.
By ATP Staff
Can Shang Juncheng ride home support all the way to his maiden ATP Tour title at the Chengdu Open?
The #NextGenATP star notched a 6-4, 7-6(8) upset against second seed Alexander Bublik on Sunday to reach the semi-finals at the hard-court ATP 250. Shang, the 19-year-old rising star of Chinese tennis, saved a set point at 6/7 in the second-set tie-break before wrapping a one-hour, 51-minute triumph against the World No. 27.
“I guess Alex is always tricky, always a tough battle,” said Shang. “He can serve anywhere. He can put the drop shots anywhere, and overall he’s an amazing player. His past results show that he can win titles, and we’ve played tough matches against each other. I’m just super happy to be in the semis. [It is] my first time here in Chengdu, playing so well.”
5 star Shang 🤩
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 22, 2024
The teenage sensation beats (2) Bublik 6-4 7-6(8) 👉 SFs@ChengduOpen | #ChengduOpen pic.twitter.com/G7ZKHIM4Gr
Shang, who also defeated Bublik in the first round at the US Open last month, now leads the Kazakhstani 2-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. With his quarter-final victory, the home favourite consolidated his position in third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. Shang is bidding for a debut appearance at the season-ending Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
His opponent in his third tour-level semi-final on Monday in Chengdu will be Yannick Hanfmann, who defeated fourth seed Pedro Martinez 7-6(1), 6-2 to reach his eighth ATP Tour semi-final. The German hit 26 winners to improve his Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Spain’s Martinez to 2-1.
© Copyright 1994 - 2024 ATP Tour, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means), without the written permission of ATP Tour, Inc.. Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Community Social Media Policy | Modern Slavery Statement | Feedback | Cookies
