[ad_1]
Shang Juncheng of China reacts to a point against Oscar Otte of Germany during their men’s singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 16, 2023. (Photo by Paul CROCK/AFP)
Teenager Shang Juncheng made a slice of history Monday by becoming the first male Chinese player to win an Australian Open major singles match.
The 17-year-old, a qualifier, defeated Germany’s Oscar Otte 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 7-5 in nearly three hours of intense tennis to advance.
After saving two break points in the opening set, she did not face another as she won her third match point.
The reward is a tough second-round match with either American 16th seed Frances Tiafoe or another German, Daniel Altmaier.
In addition to the significance of the result for China, Shang also achieved some personal milestones – aside from notching his first major victory, he also got his first tour-level win in four attempts.
Shang, the youngest player in the men’s draw, leads a historic match in Melbourne with three Chinese men competing in a Grand Slam main draw since the 1968 Open era.
He was joined by Zhang Zhizhen and Wu Yibing from China.
There are seven Chinese women in the singles series, led by veteran Zhang Shuai, who is ranked 22nd in the world.
The retired Li Na remains China’s top player after winning the French Open in 2011 and the Australian Open three years later.
RELATED STORY
Read Next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & 70+ other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download from 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.
[ad_2]
Source link