Chinese rising star Shang Juncheng became the third player to reach the semifinals at the ATP Hong Kong Open after defeating Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in three sets on Friday.
Despite a strong start from the 25-year-old Marozsan, who dominated the first set 6-1 after shocking Russian top seed Andrey Rublev in his previous match, the 19-year-old Shang showcased remarkable resilience.
Shang’s journey to the last four in Hong Kong last January served as a launchpad, propelling him to become the first Chinese teenager to break into the Top 100 rankings in May. Now ranked 50th, he demonstrated his speed and agility, slicing a sharp winner to secure a break and take the second set 6-3.
In the decisive third set, Shang maintained his momentum, leading the match and ultimately closing it out 6-4 when Marozsan’s forehand sailed out of bounds. This victory marks a significant milestone in Shang’s burgeoning career.
Shang will next face Japanese wildcard Kei Nishikori, who secured his spot in the semifinals by defeating Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie. The upcoming match promises to be an exciting encounter between two dynamic players.
