The Chengdu Open witnessed remarkable performances from Chinese tennis players Shang Juncheng and Zhou Yi, highlighting the growing talent in the region.
Shang Juncheng delivered an impressive victory over Japan’s Kei Nishikori, securing a straight-sets win of 6-4, 6-4. This win marks a significant turnaround from their last encounter in 2023, where Nishikori emerged victorious. Shang showcased his resilience by breaking Nishikori’s serve in the third game of the first set and saving two break points in Game 10 to clinch the set. The second set was intensely competitive, but Shang’s strategic play and composure under pressure led him to victory.
Expressing his joy, Shang remarked, \"I'm feeling more and more relaxed in the match. I have no pressure playing the tour. I just want to enjoy every match. I'm satisfied as long as I gave my best on the court.\" His positive mindset and determination are clear indicators of his potential in the ATP Tour.
Earlier in the day, Zhou Yi achieved his first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour win by defeating Chun-Hsin Tseng of Chinese Taipei. Despite losing the first set 2-6, Zhou made a strong comeback, winning the second set 6-1. Leading 3-1 in the third set, Tseng retired due to an injury, granting Zhou the victory. Zhou emphasized the importance of this win, stating, \"It's a very important match of my career. It's a recognition of my efforts and a boost to my confidence. I'm happy that I won.\"
These victories at the Chengdu Open not only bolster the players' careers but also inspire young athletes and tennis enthusiasts across China and beyond. As Chinese tennis continues to rise on the global stage, fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling performances and achievements from these talented athletes.
Reference(s):
China's Shang beats former world No. 4 Nishikori at Chengdu Open
cgtn.com
