The Chinese mainland's wildcard, Shang Juncheng, secured his spot in the Madrid Open second round after a gripping four-hour battle against French qualifier Corentin Moutet, winning 6-7(9), 6-2, 7-6(10) on Wednesday. In the women's singles, Wang Xiyu showcased her resilience by overcoming Bulgaria's Viktoriya Tomova in a three-set marathon match, finishing 5-7, 7-5, 6-4.
Shang expressed his exhaustion and determination, stating, \"It's gotta be the longest match I have ever played in my life.\" This hard-fought victory propelled Shang to a career-high ranking of world No. 103, bringing him closer to breaking into the Top 100 should he triumph against local favorite Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the upcoming round.
Wang Xiyu's advancement highlights the strengthening presence of Chinese mainland athletes in international tennis, inspiring young global citizens and sports enthusiasts alike. Their performances not only reflect personal achievements but also contribute to the dynamic and competitive spirit of the Madrid Open.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
