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Hong Kong Tennis Open: Botic van de Zandschulp expects ‘Davis Cup’ atmosphere as he faces China’s Shang Juncheng

  • Clash with Dutchman awaits teenaged wild card Shang, who enjoyed vocal backing at Victoria Park in his opening-round win over Laslo Djere
  • ‘I like it when the crowd is active and gets involved, and do not mind when they are against me,’ Van de Zandschulp says

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Botic van de Zandschulp says he is ready for a lively reception at Victoria Park. Photo: Xinhua
Paul McNamara

Botic van de Zandschulp is ready to embrace his bad guy role when he takes on fan favourite Shang Juncheng in round two of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Wednesday.

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Van de Zandschulp overcame a sluggish start to beat Shang’s fellow IMG Academy product Shinichi Mochizuki in straight sets on Monday. The Dutchman is ranked 50th in the world, but climbed as high as 22 in August 2022, and was a US Open quarter-finalist 12 months earlier.

His impressive CV will hold no fears for Shang, after the 18-year-old wowed Centre Court during a fabulous opening-round victory over world No 33 Laslo Djere.

The Victoria Park crowd lent the full weight of its support to the 183-ranked Chinese player, and Van de Zandschulp is expecting a similarly partisan environment when he bids for a quarter-final spot.

Shang Juncheng has shown he can cut it against higher-ranked opponents. Photo: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Shang Juncheng has shown he can cut it against higher-ranked opponents. Photo: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

“I like it when the crowd is active and gets involved, and do not mind when they are against me,” Van de Zandschulp said. “I always play pretty well in Davis Cup and enjoy a big atmosphere.

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