Shang Juncheng, the 20-year-old home wildcard, stunned ninth-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6(3), 6-3 at the Shanghai Masters in eastern Shanghai, on the Chinese mainland. 🎾🔥
This milestone victory marked Shang's first win over a Top 10 foe and his debut in the tournament's third round. Both players traded breaks early, pushing the first set to a tense 6-6 tie and a tiebreak that Shang swept 7-3.
In the second set, after holding serve for three games each, Shang broke Khachanov in the eighth game to lead 5-3, then sealed the deal with a flawless love game. Next up for the young Chinese star: Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the round of 32.
'I didn’t start well, facing a Top 10 player who moves so smoothly around the court,' Shang said. 'Khachanov can serve big and control both baseline and net play, so I had to stay aggressive and play faster. My game plan clicked today.'
Elsewhere in Shanghai action, home favorite Buyunchaokete bowed out 6-4, 6-4 to 26th-seed Luciano Darderi. Darderi now gears up to face eighth-seed Lorenzo Musetti in an all-Italian duel.
And world No 2 Jannik Sinner of Italy cruised past Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-3, setting up a showdown with 27th-seed Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in round three.
From surprise upsets to powerhouse performances, the Shanghai Masters is serving up plenty of drama. Stay tuned for more epic tennis moments! 🌟
Reference(s):
Shang Juncheng tops Khachanov to reach third round at Shanghai Masters
cgtn.com
