CHENGDU, September 22, 2024 (Press Release)
China’s teenage sensation Shang Juncheng once again dazzled home crowds as he continued his dream run at the Chengdu Open, toppling second seed Alexander Bublik 6-4, 7-6(8) in a thrilling one-hour and 51-minute showdown to reach his third career semifinal.
Roared on by the crowd, the 19-year-old saved all five break points and, despite squandering three match points in the second set tiebreak, showed nerves of steel to save a set point and seal a straight-sets victory.
No place like home ✨
The moment Shang defeated Bublik for the second time this year to make the Chengdu semi-final!@ChengduOpen pic.twitter.com/1ilNu1WMQw
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 22, 2024
“Alex is always a tricky opponent. He can serve and drop shot from anywhere, and he’s an amazing player. We always have tough battles so I was just trying to say positive throughout the match. I’m super happy to be in the semis and playing so well in my first Chengdu Open,” said world No. 67 Shang, who is set to achieve a new career high after picking up at least 100 points.
Shang will now face Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann in Monday’s semifinal, who extended his hot streak by upsetting fourth seed Pedro Martinez 7-6(1), 6-2. Hanfmann created 10 break chances and converted three to notch the win in one hour and 52 minutes.
“The first set very close, I think we both had some nerves but then I played a great tie break. After winning such a close first set, I grew in confidence and felt my game was getting much better in the second set – serving good and returning well. I’m very happy with this performance,” said the 32-year-old.
Meanwhile, top seed Lorenzo Musetti reached the semifinals of the Chengdu Open for the second consecutive year, overcoming a strong fightback from Adrian Mannarino to win 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in two hours and 16 minutes on Centre Court. The Italian world No. 19 dropped just one break during the match, which came at the end of a closely contested second set, but he recovered strongly in the decider to secure his sixth semifinal of the year – his first on hard courts since Chengdu last year.
“I think I showed great tennis, especially in the first set, and I raised my level at the end as well. Adrian was really solid today. He started serving better in the second set, giving me fewer chances against his serve and at 6-5, he hit four winners on the return of my first serve. It was disappointing to lose the set, but I stayed mentally focused on what I needed to do,” said the former world No. 1 junior.
Earlier in the day, qualifier Alibek Kachmazov put in a clinical display to upset the odds and oust third seed Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 33 minutes, moving into his first ATP Tour semifinal. The 22-year-old, who is in imperious form and has not dropped a set all tournament, did not face a single break point against his world No. 28 opponent today.
Despite recording his biggest career victory, the world No.252, who becomes the lowest ranked semi-finalist in the tournament’s history, refused to get carried away: “I’m not thinking too much about this being my first semifinal or my first possible way to go to Grand Slams. I’m just trying to focus on my game more and I’m happy that it’s working for me.”
In doubles, French defending champions Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul kept their title defense on track, defeating fourth-seeded Mexican-Australian pair Miguel Reyes-Varela and John-Patrick Smith 4-6, 6-3, 12-10 in a tense one-hour and 30-minute contest. After breaking in the fourth game of the second set to recover from their first-set loss, Doumbia and Reboul saved a match point at 8-9 in the super tie-break, winning four of the next five points to advance to their fifth final of the season, where they will aim for their fourth career title.
“We are very happy to be back in China. We worked hard to come back together and it’s always nice to play a final back-to-back. Hopefully, it will be a good match on Tuesday,” said Reboul.
“We love it here—the conditions, the people, everything. Playing in China is always exciting, and the fans create a special atmosphere on Centre Court. Hopefully, we can do as well as we did last year,” added Doumbia.
