Chinese teen Shang wins final set thriller at Hong Kong Tennis Open – South China Morning Post

Lightning has struck twice at the Hong Kong Tennis Open after Chinese sensation Shang Juncheng came from behind to win a final-set tiebreak and beat Botic van de Zandschulp in a 3½-hour thriller.

Shang recovered from a set down for a second time this week, after saving a match point at 6-5 down in the second set of the second-round encounter with the world No 50.

And he needed only one of the four match points he created for himself in the decisive tiebreak, Van de Zandschulp dumping a backhand into the net to hand Shang a 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 victory on a jubilant Centre Court.

Having fought back to see off world No 33 Laslo Djere in the opening round, Shang was up against it again on Wednesday.

After failing to convert two set points on his opponent’s serve at 5-4 up in the opener, he lost a tiebreak 7-5.

He quickly got on top in the second when breaking for a 2-1 lead, but Van de Zandschulp hit straight back with a break of his own.

Ranked 183 in the world, Shang was two points from defeat at 5-4 down and deuce, then on the brink again in game 12, but recovered to maintain his hopes of a second straight victory over a top-50 opponent.

The 18-year-old saved a match point at 6-5 down, when the Dutchman slapped a backhand return long on Shang’s second serve.

And the underdog capitalised on his let-off by winning the 12th game, then stormed through the tiebreak to win it 7-2.

Shang, whose left ear features a glistening silver stud, saved three break points at 3-3 in the decider, and proceeded to break Van de Zandschulp to serve for the match at 5-3. The dogged Dutchman won four straight points from 30-15 down to prolong the match.

But Shang grabbed the initiative in the final tiebreak, claiming the first mini-break when 3-2 up before reeling off the next three points.

The result booked him a quarter final against either Frances Tiafoe or Miomir Kecmanovic.

More to follow …