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Paul McNamara

Jerry Shang Juncheng outclassed Pedro Martinez to march into the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open quarter-finals, then declared he was stronger mentally than during his fairy-tale run to the last four a year ago.
Chinese teen Shang was a world No 183 wild-card entrant last January when he pulled off a string of upset victories before falling to eventual champion Andrey Rublev.
He was denied the opportunity to exact revenge when Rublev, the top seed, was knocked out on Thursday evening, upset in three sets by Fabian Marozsan of Hungary.
Shang, though, has climbed to No 50 and, on the evidence of his 6-3, 6-1 dismantling of 43rd-ranked Martinez at Victoria Park on Thursday, is set to continue his trajectory.

“Mentally, there’s a big difference in me,” Shang said. “Physically and tennis-wise, nothing significant has changed. But I am more confident on court, I know what I have to do, and that if I focus, I will have a lot of time [to play shots].
“When I played Rublev last time, I felt that if I didn’t hit the ball as hard as I could, he would hit a winner every time, but that’s not true. Overall, I am calmer and more patient.”
Shang had already accounted for Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong Chak-lam in round one this week before facing Martinez, with the lion’s share of support behind him on a humid Centre Court.
After staving off two break points at 3-3, the 19-year-old won two quick games to claim the first set, before racing through a one-sided second.
“After 3-3, there was a big change in speed from my side,” Shang said. “I was playing with more confidence and swinging much harder, the winners were coming and my serves were fast. I started tight, but finished strong.
“I could start more confidently – hit my forehands and step in more. But overall, it was a nine out of 10.”
Shang said he had headed to Hong Kong last year “thinking winning a match or two would be very good”.
After confounding his own expectations, the teenager embarked on a fine season and won his maiden ATP 250 title at September’s Chengdu Open.
“Coming here this year, I was defending a lot of ranking points, so there was a little bit of pressure,” Shang said.
“But I feel very good here, it’s my home court. I feel very confident on these fast courts, with the crowd [behind me] – it’s a comfortable place for me.”
It proved anything but comfortable for a raging Rublev as he was toppled 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 by the unseeded Marozsan.
“I played really well,” Rublev said. “In my first match here last year, I played much worse.
“If I can win some matches at the Australian Open [this month], no one will remember this tournament.”
The Russian, who grew increasingly irate in the closing games, dropped the opening set after starting dismally to fall 5-1 behind. He appeared to have stabilised when he levelled, but an inspired Marozsan disappointed the majority roaring for Rublev when he broke for 4-2 in the decider, then served out to love for one of the biggest wins of his career.
Marozsan beat Shang in Belgrade two months ago and the Chinese said his next opponent was “one of the most underrated players on tour”, and the owner of “the best drop shot I’ve seen in my life”.
“This was a big win for me … Andrey is a great player,” Marozsan said. “It is not easy for me [with the crowd against him].
“Andrey won this tournament last year, everyone loves him; Jerry is one of the fans’ favourites here … it’s a little bit like the Davis Cup, with everyone pushing your opponent. But I have to focus on myself and play my best.”

Earlier on Centre Court, No 2 seed Lorenzo Musetti brushed aside qualifier Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 6-3.
The 2024 Wimbledon semi-finalist Musetti needed only one break to pinch the first set, but he broke twice more in a dominant second, as Canadian Diallo began to fatigue, after coming through three matches to reach this stage.
In the last eight, Musetti will meet Jaume Munar, who shocked world No 36 Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-5.
Borges had knocked out Chinese hope Bu Yunchaokete in the opening round, but 62nd-ranked Spaniard Munar, 27, led from start to finish on Court No 1, to keep alive his hopes of a first career title.


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Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open

Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open: Shang ‘mentally stronger’ this year – but Rublev out

Shang Juncheng celebrates a point against Pedro Martinez at Victoria Park Tennis Centre on Thursday. Photo: Elson Li

Shang Juncheng hits an overhead shot during his win over Spain’s Pedro Martinez. Photo: Elson Li

Lorenzo Musetti plays a shot at the net during his win over Gabriel Diallo. Photo: Elson Li

Sliding doors moment opened up world of possibilities for China tennis star Bu Yunchaokete

Bu Yunchaokete shone at the Beijing Open, reaching the final. Photo: Handout

Bu Yunchaokete made his ATP tour debut at the Shanghai Masters, reaching the second round. Photo: Getty Images

Jerry Shang looks the most likely Chinese male player to break into the world’s top 10. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong Open: Canada’s Gabriel Diallo signalled ambition by wiping out Maria Sharapova

Gabriel Diallo is among a crop of talented Canadian players aiming to end the country’s male grand slam champion drought. Photo: Instagram/hkto.mens

Maria Sharapova of Russia on her way to beating Petra Kvitova in a 2012 Australian Open semi-final. Photo: EPA

Lorenzo Musetti, Diallo’s next opponent, began 2024 at world No 276, but he is now ranked 17th. Photo: AFP

Sport

Tennis

Hong Kong

Reigning champion Andrey Rublev beaten by Fabian Marozsan, denying Jerry Shang a chance to avenge his semi-final loss last year


Reigning champion Andrey Rublev beaten by Fabian Marozsan, denying Jerry Shang a chance to avenge his semi-final loss last year.


ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)