Get ready to talk about one of the biggest upsets of the Shanghai Masters! Home wildcard Shang Juncheng, just 20 years old, took down ninth-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov in straight sets to reach the third round for the first time. 🎾✨
The match kicked off with both players breaking serve early to level at 2-2, but the set went into a tense tiebreaker. Shang grabbed a 3-2 lead, rattled off three straight points, and clinched the opener 7-6(3). He rode that momentum to a 6-3 win in set two, breaking Khachanov's serve at a crucial moment to seal the victory.
"Facing a Top 10 player who's been super consistent was tough," Shang said after the win. "I played faster and more aggressively, and it worked!"
Up next, Shang will face Portugal's Nuno Borges in the round of 32 — a matchup that could mark another milestone for the rising star. 🌟
Elsewhere in the draw, Chinese mainland hope Buyunchaokete bowed out to Luciano Darderi (6-4, 6-4), who'll meet No. 8 seed Lorenzo Musetti in an all-Italian showdown. And No. 2 seed Jannik Sinner cruised past Daniel Altmaier (6-3, 6-3) to set up a clash with Tallon Griekspoor.
Keep your eyes on Shanghai — the action is just heating up! 🔥
Reference(s):
Shang Juncheng tops Khachanov to reach third round at Shanghai Masters
cgtn.com
