Atlanta
With ice cream looming, #NextGenATP Shang beats rain & Purcell in Atlanta
Thompson and Davidovich Fokina play longest match in event historical past
July 27, 2024
Nick Grace/Atlanta Open
Shang Juncheng defeats Max Purcell in straight units on Friday to achieve the Atlanta semi-finals.
By ATP Workers
Throughout the second rain delay of Shang Juncheng’s Atlanta Open quarter-final in opposition to Max Purcell Friday night, the #NextGenATP star was not stressing over the place Purcell would serve when play resumed. One thing else was on the 19-year-old’s thoughts: ice cream!
“We attempt to hold a enjoyable atmosphere, however maintaining myself centered. We talked about consuming ice cream after the event,” Shang stated throughout his on-court interview, cracking amusing. “There is a store proper over there. After the event if I do actually good, and I really feel good, I’d go so possibly see you guys there!”
Shang leaps into victory ✨⏭️🌈
The wins proceed for Shang taking the win in opposition to Purcell 7-6(3) 6-4 @ATLOpenTennis | #AtlantaOpen pic.twitter.com/i4CQU2TETN
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 27, 2024
Shang is performing lots properly this week to earn it. The teenager defeated Purcell 7-6(3), 6-4 regardless of two rain delays to achieve the second ATP Tour semi-final of his budding profession. Earlier this season, he made the final 4 in Hong Kong.
The Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF contender led 5/2 within the first-set tie-break when play was suspended resulting from rain. The climate struck once more at 4-4, deuce within the second set.
Purcell had breezed by his service video games for many of the second set. However upon resumption, Shang attacked his opponent’s forehand to earn the pivotal break after which held earlier than rain may wreak any extra havoc.
“I believe [there were] powerful situations. It rained twice and particularly the primary time within the tie-break was essential and I believe I saved my thoughts collectively, performed actually good tennis,” Shang stated. “Max has been taking part in good on the grass currently. [It was] only a tremendous good match and completely satisfied to be by.”
Shang, who ousted prime seed Ben Shelton Thursday, will subsequent play Jordan Thompson, who earned a historic victory earlier Friday.
The fourth seed eradicated the fifth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and three minutes, making their Atlanta Open quarter-final the longest match in event historical past.
“I really feel like I’ve performed the longest match in event historical past. It was brutally scorching. There wasn’t a lot cloud cowl right now,” Thompson stated. “So if you happen to’re taking part in at two o’clock, center of the day, not a lot cloud cowl, it was fairly, fairly powerful.”
Davidovich Fokina saved 12 of the 14 break factors he confronted in response to Infosys ATP Stats, however his toughness below strain was not sufficient. Thompson was persistent to achieve his fourth ATP Tour semi-final of the season.
Coming into the 12 months, the Australian had reached 4 tour-level semi-finals. He has doubled his rely in 2024 and is now two wins from claiming his second title of the 12 months (Los Cabos).
“Jerry is only a actually, actually good participant, left-hander, younger fella, and he is developing,” Thompson stated. “He seems like he is acquired nothing to lose, and he is taking part in that means.”
Yoshihito Nishioka took out residence favorite Frances Tiafoe, the third seed, 7-6(2), 6-2 to achieve his first semi-final of the 12 months. This was solely his second quarter-final of 2024.
The Japanese lefty, a two-time ATP Tour titlist, will play Arthur Rinderknech for a spot within the closing. The Frenchman hit 21 aces to oust Italian Mattia Bellucci 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-1 in two hours and 23 minutes.
Nishioka had misplaced his first three Lexus ATP Head2Head conferences in opposition to Tiafoe, solely dropping one set in these matches. However in Atlanta he confronted only one break level to advance after 84 minutes.
Did You Know?If Shang defeats Thompson within the semi-finals, he’ll climb to second within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Jeddah.
