By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Nineteen-year-old Shang Juncheng topped Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(4), 6-1 to become the first man born in 2005 or later to win an ATP title.
Photo credit: Chengdu Open Facebook
Before enthusiastic home fans, Shang Juncheng created championship coming of age.
The 19-year-old Shang stopped Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(4), 6-1 to capture his first career title at the Chengdu Open.
TN Q&A: Roger Federer on RF Collection and Best Match
Contesting his maiden ATP final, the Chinese teenager played with poise making history as the first man born in 2005 or later to win an ATP title.
Shang joins Wu Yibing, who beat John Isner to win the 2023 Dallas title, as the second Chinese ATP champion.
In the first meeting between the pair, the left-handed Shang slammed shut the first-set tiebreaker firing consecutive aces and flashed forehand winners to deny Musetti his third career title.
It is Shang’s third career Top 20 victory as he becomes the 10th man to collect an ATP championship on home soil this season.
Shang threatened serve in the fifth game. Musetti fended off a couple of break points winning the longest game of the set for a 3-2 lead.
Undeterred, Shang came right back. The Chinese charged through eight of nine points, holding at love then breaking at 15 for a 6-5 lead.
Serving for the set, Shang could not close as Musetti broke back at 15 to force the first-set tiebreaker.
Resetting, Shang scored the mini-break to open the tiebreaker and maintained momentum snatching a 5-2 lead.
The Chinese left-hander slashed successive aces to serve out the 62-minute opening set and move to within one set of his maiden title.
Shang smacked seven winners to three for Musetti in the opening set.
Rallies intensified as Shang withstood a 12-point game, holding to start the second set.
The teenager slammed some heavy forehands scoring his second straight break for a 2-0 second-set lead.
Wimbledon semifinalist Musetti employed his slice trying to change up the rhythm of rallies. Shang responded holding at 30 for a 4-1 lead.
Serving for his maiden title, Shang saved a couple of break points then converted his second match point to close an impressive 99-minute victory.