Jerry Shang

Chinese Teenager Jerry Shang Wins First ATP Title In Chengdu

September 24, 2024 by Admin

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.

Players From World’s Two Most Populous Nations, Playing Side-By-Side, Showcase U.S. Open Qualifying Round Fan Diversity

August 25, 2023 by Admin

By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

When rising star players from the world’s two most populous nations are playing U.S. Open qualifying round finals on an adjacent courts it’s certain to create a vibrant atmosphere.

That’s exactly what it was like when Jerry Shang of China and Ankita Raina of India were playing side-by-side on Courts 14 and 13 Friday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

With Queens, New York being the most ethnically diverse county in the United States, it’s not a surprise that these popular players from China and India would certainly draw a crowd, especially during U.S. Open qualifying tournament, the centerpiece of the U.S. Tennis Association’s free “Fan Week” offering.

Raina, playing on Court No. 13, faced Sweden’s Mirjam Bjorklund for the right to reach the main draw of the U.S. Open. It was especially important and historic for Raina, who was looking to join Sania Mirza as only the second woman representing India to reach the singles main draw at the U.S. Open. One couldn’t help but notice that most of the crowd were fans of Indian descent, looking to see if Raina would create some history for India in tennis. Over 140,000 people from India now call Queens home, with the hub of Indian culture on the borough mainly centered around Jackson Heights. However those that came out to watch Raina would end up crying in their curry as Bjorklund won a tougher-than-the-score-looked 6-2, 6-2 decision. While the Indian fans in attendance were no doubt disappointed, Bjorklund’s new finance, former Wimbledon semifinalist Denis Shapovalov, was no doubt thrilled.

Shang, a rising star from China, was playing on Court 14 in his qualifying final against Otto Virtanen of Finland. While Raina’s court was ringed with fans, it was standing-room-only with people standing four deep for Shang. Queens, after all, is home of the one of the fastest growing Chinatowns in the United States. In Jon Wertheim’s U.S. Open tips column in his Sports Illustrated website tennis mail column mentioned that fans should take a jaunt to downtown Flushing just one subway stop down the line from the Mets-Willets Point stop to experience the best Chinese food in New York City. These immigrants from China comprise of over 240,000 in Queens and the ones who came out to support Shang got very excited when the 18-year-old won a second-set tiebreaker to force a decisive third set. “The Man Called Otto,” however, was quick to run to a 5-0 lead and held on to win 7-5, 6-7(2), 6-1.

The tennis wasn’t the highest of quality, even if just compared to other qualifying matches even though both were final-round matches with main draw slots on the line. But, it was part spectacle based on the ethnic make-up of those mostly surrounding the court, showcasing what makes this part of the world so exciting and diverse.

Jerry Shang (far court, far side in orange) and Atkina Raina (near court, far side in purple) at the US Open Qualifying Tournament

Chinese Men Makes U.S. Open History In Brilliant AND Dubious Fashion

August 29, 2022 by Admin

By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Wu Yibing and Zhizhen Zhang of China both made U.S. Open history on the opening day at the 2022 U.S. Open.

One in brilliant fashion and one in dubious fashion.

Yibing became the first Chinese man in 63 years to win a singles match at any Grand Slam tournament when he upset No. 31 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

Zhang nearly beat his countryman to the punch earlier in the day, but squandered a U.S. Open record seven match points in losing a two-sets-to-love lead in a 3-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (9), 6-1, 6-4 loss to Tim van Tim van Rijthoven.

Wu has had one of the most dramatic rises in ATP history over the last four months when in April he had only one ATP ranking point, as you can read here: https://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/21222

Wu is ranked No. 174 and advanced into the main draw by winning three qualifying matches. He is also the first Chinese man to win a match at the U.S. Championships since Cheng Guy in 1935.

“It’s happy and exciting but still more matches to come,” Wu told ATPTour.com

Zhang, ranked No. 137, had seven matches points late in the third set against van Rijthoven, but mishit numerous balls in key moments, including several of his match points. Rogerio Dutra Da Silva of Brazil is the only other player in U.S. Open history to save as many match points when he did so in the first round of the 2013 U.S. Open in his 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (9), 6-2, 7-6 (10).

Zhang still joins Wu as the first two Chinese men to play in the main draw at the U.S. Open (since 1968 when the event was open also to professionals). Along with the fast-rising Jerry Shang, who at 17 years old is ranked No. 202, and Chinese men have their strongest contingent of player in its history. No Chinese man has been ranked in the top 100 of the ATP Rankings, but these three players appear poised to break that milestone soon.