Shang’s Hong Kong Tennis Open dream ended by Rublev, Russian hits back from one-set down to beat Chinese teenager
- Shang Juncheng wins opening set following fast start, but Andrey Rublev bounces back to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
- Russian will now face Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in Sunday’s final at Victoria Park Stadium
Andrey Rublev said he had been left angry and bewildered by the daring talent of emerging star Shang Juncheng, before eventually overcoming the Chinese teenager in an absorbing three-set Bank of China Hong Kong Open semi-final on Saturday.
The world No 5, who will face surprise finalist Emil Ruusuvuori for the title at Victoria Park on Sunday, furiously crashed his racquet into his knee, piercing the skin on the joint, during a first set won by Shang.
And the fiery 26-year-old exploded in rage on a handful of other occasions, but regained his composure to complete a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory in two hours, nine minutes.
“It is tough to accept, mentally, when someone younger is hitting better, and doing better things than you,” Rublev told the Post. “You are trying to do something, as well, and it is not working. It looked like he was so fluid, free and easy.
“He is younger and [I was thinking], ‘What are you doing, where is your respect?’”
Rublev added: “He was going for his shots, playing some unbelievable rallies, and hitting unbelievable winners from any position. I could not do the same in the beginning and that was the issue.”