Chinese Next Gen player Shang Juncheng beat Lorenzo Musetti 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 after 99 minutes at the Chengdu Open to become the first player born in 2005 or later to win an ATP Tour title.
Shang became the second Chinese player to win an ATP Tour singles title after Wu Yibing won in Dallas in 2023.
Shang dropped just one set en route to the title beating Alexander Bublik and Olympic bronze medallist Musetti in straight sets. The Beijing native player has boosted his chance to qualify for the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah.
Musetti saved two break points in the fifth game of the first set. Shang earned the first break at 15, but he was broken back, when he was serving for the first set at 6-5.
Shang went up an early mini-break to take a 1-0 lead. Musetti pulled back on serve to draw level to 1-1. Shang earned a second mini-break on the fifth point to win the tie-break 7-1. Shang broke twice in the second and sixth games. The Chinese player served out the win on his second match point. “It’s really special for me. Especially to do it at home, it’s been tough matches this week. I have played really good tennis, kept calm, and overall I am just very happy to be here in Chengdu”, said Shang.
