Shang Juncheng tops Khachanov to reach third round at Shanghai Masters

Home wildcard Shang Juncheng defeated ninth-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6(3), 6-3 in the men's singles second round at the Shanghai Masters, in east China's Shanghai Municipality on Saturday, clinching the first win of his career over a Top 10 player and reaching third round at the tournament for the first time.

Shang and Khachanov both converted breaks in the first four games to sit level at 2-2, with the tight opener eventually needing to be settled in a tiebreaker. The 20-year-old from China led 3-2 and then claimed three straight points, before converting his second set point to grab a 1-0 overall advantage in the match.

Both players held their first three service games in the second set, before Shang broke the Russian in the eighth to lead 5-3. He then sealed the deal with a love game, advancing to round of 32 where he will face Nuno Borges of Portugal.

"I didn't start well, facing a Top 10 player who has been very consistent at Tour in recent years," Shang said after victory. "Khachanov is an all-round tennis player. He plays well both from the baseline and the net. He has big serves, and can also receive well, so it's hard to find any weakness against him. I think I played faster and more aggressively than him, and that might be the key for this victory. Overall, my strategies worked very well today."

In other action, home hope Buyunchaokete saw his campaign come to an end in the second round against 26th-seeded Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-4. Darderi will next take on eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in an all-Italian battle.

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner of Italy cruised past Daniel Altmaier of Germany 6-3, 6-3. He will meet 27th-seeded Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in the third round.