Hong Kong Tennis Open: China’s Shang Juncheng wins another thriller to book quarter-final spot
- Shang ‘super-excited’ after second successive victory over a top-50 player as he knocks out Botic van de Zandschulp
- The 18-year-old saves match point at Victoria Park before recovering to clinch place in last eight against US’ Frances Tiafoe
Lightning struck twice at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open on Wednesday, after Chinese sensation Shang Juncheng came from behind to win a final-set tiebreak and beat Botic van de Zandschulp in a 3½-hour thriller.
Ranked 183 in the world, Shang recovered from a set down for a second time this week, saving a match point at 6-5 down in the second set of the second-round encounter.
And 18-year-old Shang needed only one of the four match points he created for himself in the decisive tiebreak, Van de Zandschulp dumping a backhand into the net to hand Shang a 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 victory on a jubilant Centre Court.
Having fought back from one set down and saved two match points to see off world No 33 Laslo Djere 10-8 in a final set tiebreak in round one, Shang was up against it again on Wednesday – a position he is beginning to relish.
“You see the great players have their moments saving match points,” Shang said. “It is of huge value to never give up, and this is how I want to play tennis.
“I was not always this calm in the important moments. I did a good job in preseason, working with my coach and my parents [former China footballer Shang Yi and World Table Tennis Championship gold medallist Wu Na]. We found a balance and I would like it to continue.”
After failing to convert two set points on his opponent’s serve at 5-4 up in the opener, Shang lost the tiebreak 7-5.
The teenager was two points from defeat at 5-4 down and deuce in the second, then on the brink again in game 12. He saved a match point at 6-5 down, when the Dutchman, who visibly tightened at clutch moments, slapped a backhand return long on Shang’s second serve.