Shang Juncheng made history for China on Monday in his Grand Slam debut, as the #NextGenATP star became the first man from the Asian nation to win an Australian Open match in the Open Era.
In a 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 victory against Germany's Oscar Otte, the 17-year-old qualifier used his attacking game to dictate play in Melbourne. After saving two break points in the opening set, he did not face another as he sealed the win on his third match point.
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The youngest player in the men's singles draw, Shang showed poise beyond his years as he stayed the course after letting slip two match points on return at 5-4 in the fourth set. With Otte again serving to stay in the match at 6-5, the lefty finished the job with his fourth break of the match.
Juncheng Shang 🇨🇳👏 Take a bow!
The 17-year-old is the youngest player in the men's singles at #AO2023 and becomes the first male Chinese player to win an #AusOpen main-draw singles match in the Open Era.@wwos • @espn • @Eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/SzwIwU86oY
In addition to the significance of the result for China, Shang also achieved several personal milestones. Aside from notching his first major win, he also earned his first tour-level win in four tries. In 2022, he competed in his first three ATP Tour main draws in Rio de Janeiro, Indian Wells and Miami.
Frances Tiafoe or Daniel Altmaier will be next for Shang, who has rocketed up 50 places to No. 144 the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings this week — a mark that comfortably sets him up for a new career high. He has lost just two sets across four matches in Melbourne after dropping one set in his three qualifying matches.