Juncheng Shang is the second ATP champion from China! The 19-year-old conquered Chengdu, delighting the home fans and earning the first notable milestone of his young career. Shang, who trains at the IMG Academy in Florida, took down five rivals en route to his first ATP trophy, taking another step forward on the ATP ranking list and drawing closer to a top-50 spot. Also, the Chinese became the first player born in 2005 with an ATP title by his name. Juncheng ousted Kei Nishikori, Roman Safiullin, Alexander Bublik and Yannick Hanfmann en route to his first ATP final, facing world no. 19 Lorenzo Musetti in the title clash. The Chinese took down the Italian 7-6, 6-1 in an hour and 39 minutes, prevailing in the opener and taking charge in set number two. The home star fired five aces and made the difference with the first serve. A teenager saved two of three break points and delivered three return games, breaking the rival’s resistance early in the second set.
Lorenzo Musetti, Chengdu 2024© Stream screenshot
Juncheng Chang conquered his first ATP title in Chengdu.
They kicked off the clash with four comfortable holds before Musetti experienced issues at 2-2. World no. 19 saved two break points with service winners, holding and remaining on the positive side. The returners had no chances in the next five games, with the young gun holding at love at 4-5 to prolong the action. Shang made a push on the return in the 11th game, generating two break chances after Musetti’s loose backhand. Juncheng attacked on the first, blasting a forehand winner and opening a 6-5 advantage. The Italian made a fresh start and broke back in the 12th game, introducing a tie break. It started with mini-breaks before the Chinese fired another strong forehand for a 3-2 lead. The home favorite clinched two points on serve, forging a 5-2 advantage and landing an ace in the tenth point for 6-4 and two set points.
Lorenzo Musetti & Juncheng Shang, Chengdu 2024© Stream screenshot
Shang seized the first with another powerful serve, wrapping up the opener in an hour and gaining a boost. The young gun held after deuces at the beginning of the second set and grabbed a break in the next one after Lorenzo’s wayward volley. A teenager served well in games three and five, moving 4-1 in front and controlling the pace. Juncheng cracked a forehand down the line winner in the sixth game for a break chance and seized it after the rival’s backhand error, moving 5-1 up and serving for the title. Shang served for his first ATP title in game seven and faced two break points. The Italian played a terrible volley on the second, missing his chances and allowing the Chinese to seal the deal with a forced error, celebrating his first ATP title at 19.