SHANGHAI/WASHINGTON, October 2, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
Age is a relative matter to Shang Juncheng of China. The Chinese teenager from Beijing, who trains in Bradenton, Fla., is keenly aware of what he’s achieved at a young age. However, when he’s on court, the #NextGenATP rising star doesn’t dwell on it too much.
“I think in some ways, yes, but I don’t think about the age too much,” the 19-year-old Shang explained, during his pre-tournament news conference earlier this week before playing his first-round match in the Rolex Shanghai Masters against 134th-ranked Coleman Wong of Hong Kong Wednesday evening at Qi Zhong Tennis Center in Shanghai, China.
“We’re all competing on tour against other players, you know, some are older, some are younger, so I think it’s not a huge thing to think about.”
Regardless, the left-handed-hitting Shang, who goes by the nickname “Jerry,” has distinguished himself very nicely on the ATP Tour this year, winning 25 matches in 39 outings, including his 6-4, 6-4 victory over the 20-year-old Wong, in which he hit 17 winners, won 82 percent of his first-serve points, converted four of 10 break points and outpointed his opponent 70-56 during their 96-minute tussle that was featured on Stadium Court.
First Shanghai win @Junchengshang05 defeats Wong 6-4 6-4 to make the second round!#RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/69omwjMRYE
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 2, 2024
The victory over Wong improved Shang’s win-loss record in opening rounds this season to 13-4, including 10-2 on hard courts.
Recently, Shang won his first ATP Tour title — and on home soil, too — at the Chengdu Open, a 250-series hard court event. He became the first Chinese man to win an ATP Tour event in China and just the second to win an ATP Tour-level trophy.
Asked to describe the feeling and significance of winning a title in his home country, Shang said: “Well, I think probably one of the most important moments in my career so far. I think to win my first title at a young age, and I think it’s very helpful for my confidence as well, not to mention it’s at home in Chengdu, which is very, very exciting. I think I was too excited to even sleep.”
Sealed with a kiss
Juncheng Shang defeats Coleman Wong 6-4 6-4 to reach the second round in Shanghai for the first time.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters | #NextGenATP pic.twitter.com/IdISvOa4Ek
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024
After dismissing Wong, with whom he has been friends and competitors since they were 12-13 years-old, Shang added in an on-court interview: “These three weeks have been unreal for me. I’ve been so positive on the court, always happy and enjoying the crowd. I’m super happy to be here in Shanghai.”
Next, Shang will face World No. 3 and third seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. Alcaraz wrapped up the title at the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing with a 6-7 (8), 6-4, 7-6 (3) victory over World No. 1 and top seed Jannik Sinner of Italy Wednesday evening at the same time Shang was on court against Wong in Shanghai.
“Against Carlos, it’s never easy,” Shang admitted. “He’s one of the best players in the world. Hopefully, I can bring out some good energy.”
We can’t WAIT @Junchengshang05 @carlosalcaraz #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/ZPAJfrXVIF
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 2, 2024
Around the Rolex Shanghai Masters
No. 46 Gaël Monfils advanced to the second round with a solid — and at times explosive — game that included 22 winners in his 6-4, 6-3 win over Damir Dzumhur. It was the 38-year-old Frenchman’s third career win in three outings against No. 94 Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
“It was not easy, Damir is a really fast player,” Monfils said following his 81-minute victory. “It was a little bit slower with these conditions, so it helped him stay in the points. I couldn’t really power him off the court, but it also helped me sometimes. So, at the end of the day, I tried to focus on my game and use my serve and forehand as much as I can.”
Next, Monfils (22-19) will face No. 22 seed Sebastian Baez of Argentina.
Monfils marching on
Gael Monfils puts on a faultless display in beating Damir Dzumhur 6-4 6-3 #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/LpptChRQKj
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 2, 2024
Also, 92nd-ranked Arthur Cazaux was one of four French winners on opening day of the main draw at Qi Zhong Tennis Center. He defeated Croatia’s Marin Cilic, who last month won the title at Hangzhou, 6-4, 6-4, in an hour and 36 minutes. Next, Cazaux will oppose Tokyo finalist and fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert, who is seeded 16th.
Meanwhile, No. 60 Arthur Rinderknech defeated 307th-ranked American Reilly Opelka, 6-4, 7-6 (5), in a battle of big servers that produced 19 aces between them — 13 of them for Opelka — and No. 71 Alexandre Muller rallied to oust 88th-ranked Luca Nardi of Italy, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Comeback Kei @keinishikori gets the better of Navone 3-6 6-4 6-3 to advance in Shanghai!@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/zp3cpzVyoX
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024
Other first-round winners include: Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands, wild card Wu Yibing of China, Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain, Fabio Fognini of Italy, Taro Daniel of Japan, Thiago Seyboth Wild of Brazil, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain, and Kei Nishikori of Japan. Plus, a trio of qualifiers moved into the second round: Denis Shapovalov of Canada, Zachary Svajda of the United States and Aleksandar Vukic of Australia.
The 101st-ranked Shapovalov’s 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8) win over No. 50 Lorenzo Sonego of Italy was the Canadian’s 200th tour-level victory of his career.
Straight fire from start to finish
Yibing Wu gets a first ATP win since August 2023 with victory over Nagal at the #RolexShanghaiMasters! pic.twitter.com/VKmdTYsNcq
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 2, 2024
Wednesday’s Rolex Shanghai Masters results
Thursday’s Rolex Shanghai Masters order of play
By the numbers
Four-time Rolex Shanghai Masters champion Novak Djokovic is playing in the tournament for the first time since 2019. The 37-year-old Serbian owns the most wins (34) and titles (4) in tournament history and will attempt to become the third man in the Open Era to garner 100 tour-level titles and break the tie with Roger Federer for most titles on hard courts in ATP Tour history (71). The World No. 4 Djokovic reached at least the quarterfinal stage in all nine of his previous Shanghai appearances.
“Quotable …”
“A lot of great support from the fans here in China. They are probably the most unique, the most passionate fans and, you know, always so dedicated, daily waiting for you, giving you presents and really feeding you with a lot of love and energy. So that’s something that I was very excited to experience once again. Yeah, I’m just enjoying my time so far in China.”
World No. 4 and fourth seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia, from his pre-tournament news conference on Wednesday, on making his first appearance in Shanghai in five years.
