In a challenging turn of events, China’s rising tennis star Shang Juncheng suffered his second consecutive defeat at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, falling to American Nishesh Basavareddy.
Shang, the World No. 50, started strongly in Thursday’s match, securing the first set 4-3 after a tense tie-break. However, Basavareddy, ranked World No. 138, rallied to take the next three sets 4-2, 4-2, and 4-1, clinching his first career win on the ATP Tour.
This loss follows Shang’s 3-1 defeat to France’s Luca Van Assche in the first round of the Red Group, marking a challenging debut for the 19-year-old in the prestigious tournament.
Basavareddy’s victory brings his record to 1-1 in the group. He will face sixth seed Luca Van Assche on Friday, aiming to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Shang will contend with American Alex Michelsen, who has already guaranteed his place in the last four with a 2-0 record.
Despite the setbacks, Shang’s participation in the Next Gen ATP Finals represents a significant milestone in his burgeoning career, offering valuable experience against top young talents on the international stage.
