🎾 What a rollercoaster at the Shanghai Masters! Wildcard sensation Shang Juncheng came out swinging, only to see Portugal's Nuno Borges edge him out in three gripping sets. With that loss, home fans saw the last hopeful from the Chinese mainland bow out of the tournament.
Shang stormed ahead early, breaking for a 4-2 lead in the first set. But Borges fought back, stealing the tiebreak 7-5 with a slick forehand. Under steamy conditions and heavy humidity, Shang even took a medical timeout after missing a set point – a dramatic pause that gave him new life. He powered through the second set 6-4, serving up aces like a boss. 💪
The decider was a nail-biter. Shang broke back late and threatened a comeback, saving two match points on Borges' serve. Despite the near-miracle moments, Borges closed it 6-3, ending the 20-year-old's run in Shanghai.
Meanwhile, former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev is on the march. He beat Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 7-6(5), looking to turn around an up-and-down season. And World No. 3 Alexander Zverev? He suffered another shock loss, going down 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to France's Arthur Rinderknech – the same player who sent him packing at Wimbledon. Next up for Rinderknech is Czech star Jiri Lehecka, who took out Canada's Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-4.
With surprises at every turn, the Shanghai Masters continues to deliver must-see tennis. Stay tuned for more epic matches and upsets! 🙌
Reference(s):
China's Shang falls short at Shanghai Masters, Zverev stunned
cgtn.com
