CHENGDU, September 23, 2026 (Media Release)
US-American Jenson Brooksby produced a composed performance to upset eighth seed Sebastian Baez 7-5, 7-5 in the opening match of the Chengdu Open main draw on Wednesday.
Having lost to Baez in straight sets in Auckland and Rome earlier this season, the World No. 77 turned the tables on the Argentine with an assured display on serve. Brooksby saved both break points he faced and converted both of his opportunities, securing the decisive break late in each set.
“I thought I played very solidly, and my mental focus was very steady throughout, which is really important against someone like him,” said Brooksby.
Making his first appearance in Chengdu, the 25-year-old also praised the support he received from the crowd.
“The fans have been great at every tournament I’ve played in Asia so far, and you can really feel how much they love tennis. It is no different here, so it’s always fun to play in front of people who are so enthusiastic about the sport.”
In the other Centre Court match contested today, 17-year-old Chinese wild card Jia Hu gave the home crowd plenty to cheer on his Tour-level debut before Czech World No. 71 Vit Kopriva prevailed 6-4, 7-5. Hu demonstrated his potential by firing seven aces, saving six of the nine break points he faced and converting his only opportunity on the Kopriva serve, but the experienced Czech ultimately held firm to advance to the second round.
An ATP Tour debut in Chengdu 📣
17 year-old Jia Hu steps onto court for the first time as he takes on Vit Kopriva#ChengduOpen pic.twitter.com/s9Mx9wcFo9
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 23, 2026
The top four seeds in qualifying also secured their places in the main draw, with Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki, France’s Alexandre Muller, South Africa’s Lloyd Harris and Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili all recording victories.
The remaining 10 first-round matches are scheduled for Thursday, beginning with an intriguing Centre Court clash between seventh seed Denis Shapovalov and Tallon Griekspoor.
The pair have split their two previous meetings, with Griekspoor winning in Geneva in 2024 before Shapovalov responded with a three-set victory in Munich earlier this season. The Canadian returns to Chengdu seven years after reaching the semi-finals on his previous appearance in 2019.
Home favourite Jerry Shang will then begin his campaign against French veteran Adrian Mannarino. The 21-year-old 2024 Chengdu Open champion will be seeking to avenge his defeat in their only previous meeting at the 2023 Miami Open.
“I have a lot of respect for Adrian. He has so much experience on Tour, and I’m happy to share the court with him again,” said Shang. “I’m sure it’s going to be a great match, and I’m excited to step back onto Centre Court and experience the support of the crowd again.”
