It was a dream final result for Chinese tennis fans at the 2024 Chengdu Open as rising star Shang Juncheng capped off his incredible run by defeating top seed Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(4), 6-1 in one hour and 39 minutes, claiming his maiden ATP Tour title before a jubilant crowd at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre.
Shang drew first blood in the 11th game, converting the first of two break points with a powerful forehand down the line, but Musetti responded fiercely by winning four of the next five points to force a tiebreak. In a closely fought tiebreak where both players exchanged mini-breaks, Shang seized the initiative at 5-4 on serve and closed out the first set with a flourish, hitting two aces on the trot.
With his confidence surging and the crowd roaring, the teenage sensation raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set, breaking Musetti in the second game and delivering stunning winners to extend his lead to 5-1 in the sixth game. World No. 19 Musetti had two break points in the next game, but Shang incredibly held his nerve, saving both before sealing the memorable victory on his second match point.
“I’m really delighted to have lifted the trophy here in front of my home crowd. While I felt some pressure to perform, the crowd really encouraged and supported me to play my best tennis throughout the week. It’s been amazing,” said the 19-year-old, who is now the second Chinese player to win on the ATP Tour, the first to do so on home soil, and the first player born in 2005 or later to claim an ATP Tour title.
Shang’s poise and composure were exceptional throughout the tournament, leading the field in break points saved by successfully defending 21 out of 26.
“Honestly, many would say I have a way of enduring big pressure. I owe my mindset to my parents, who have always encouraged me, especially in critical moments, helping me to relax. It’s very important for a player to be able to stay calm under pressure,” Shang added.
While disappointed, 22-year-old Musetti paid tribute to his opponent’s stunning performance and will take inspiration from improving upon his semifinal loss here last year.
“It’s been an honour to share the stage in Chengdu again. Improving my results from last year was my main goal, and I achieved that. Of course, I was fighting for more today and trying to lift the trophy, but it wasn’t meant to be. Jerry played his best tennis and deserved the victory. I’m happy with my attitude and performance throughout the week, and I’ll keep building on these moments to find my best level,” said Musetti.
Shang had a great run to the third round of the U.S. Open earlier this month, letting a two-set lead on former world No. 2 Casper Ruud disappear. He had a memorable first-set, five-set win over Alexander Bublik in New York as discussed here: https://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/23712
Shang made his first moves in international tennis in 2021 when he was the world No. 1 junior and won his first pro titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour, including in Vero Beach, Florida as outlined here: https://tennisverobeach.com/index.php/2021/10/25/sixteen-year-old-jerry-shang-wins-2021-mardy-fish-childrens-foundation-tennis-championships/
In the doubles, French defending champions Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul made history by becoming the first two-time and back-to-back Chengdu Open champions, overcoming a spirited fightback from Indian-French duo Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti to win 6-4, 4-6, 10-4 in one hour and 36 minutes. This victory marks their third title of the year and fourth overall.
Starting strong, the French duo converted their fourth break point of the opener, coming in the fifth game, to take a 3-2 lead and held on to clinch the first set. Both teams created break opportunities in the second set, each saving four in the opening nine games, but it was Bhambri and Olivetti who secured the crucial break in the tenth game.
In the super tie-breaker, Doumbia and Reboul surged to a 6-0 lead and held six match points at 9-3, converting the second to defend their title with style.
“We played a great first set and had chances in the second to close it out in two sets, but they came out strong at the end and broke us. In the super tie-break, we had an amazing start with some incredible points, and I’m very happy that we ended up winning this match,” said Doumbia.
Reboul added, “We started well and finished well—the in-between was tough, maybe they were better at times. It’s always tough to win titles and we are very happy to win this tournament for the second time.”
More information is available on the tournament Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChengduOpenTennis, as well as on Instagram @chengduopentennis.
The tournament is owned by IMG and organised by the Chinese Tennis Association and Chengdu Municipal Government, co-organised by the Chengdu Sports Bureau, Shuangliu District Government, the Chengdu Culture and Tourism Group and the WME IMG China Culture Development Co., Ltd., and promoted by the Chengdu Sports Events Industry Development Co., Ltd, IMG and the Sichuan Investment International Tennis Centre Development Co., Ltd.
The Chengdu Open is also very proud to have the support of our distinguished partners, including China Southwest Architecture, the ATP Tour’s Premier Partner Emirates, China Telecom, Voyah, Chengdu Rural Commercial Bank, Chengdu Bank, Yonex, Luminox, Gran Melia Chengdu, People’s Insurance Company of China, COFCO Coca-Cola, Kelme, Impulse and Youku, amongst others.
