Shang Juncheng beats India's Sumit Nagal 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday night to reach the third round at the Australian Open. Photo: VCG

China's 18-year-old tennis sensation Shang Juncheng displayed remarkable resilience at the Australian Open on January 18, securing a place in the third round after staging a comeback victory against India's Sumit Nagal.

The match saw Shang overcoming his opponent 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4, marking his first entry into the round of 32 in his young career.

Expressing confidence in his abilities, Shang noted that after analyzing Nagal's performance with his team, they identified potential stamina issues, believing that maintaining stability could lead to his opponent making errors.

"I firmly believe that as long as I am stable, my opponents will make mistakes," Shang told the post-match news conference, noting persistence is part of the game.

The Chinese tennis prodigy also acknowledged the tremendous support from Chinese fans at the Australian Open, emphasizing their vibrant presence at the venue.

Shang expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic cheers, crediting the supportive environment for contributing to his excellent form.

Shang's journey is set to become even more challenging as he faces the formidable world No.2, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, in the upcoming third-round clash scheduled for Saturday.

"He is one of the best players on the tour. I've been following him all year," Shang said. "In 2023, he produced amazing performances in Grand Slam tournaments and played a lot of great matches."

Reflecting on his approach to the upcoming match, Shang expressed a desire to lower expectations and focus on enjoying each moment on the court.

"I just want to enjoy every point, every moment and go and learn," he said. "He's only a little bit older than me and already one of the best players on the tour. It's going to be a great match and I'm going to have a lot of fun."

Shang made history last year as the first male player from China to win a singles match at the Australian Open in the Open Era.

His victory over American Mackenzie McDonald in five sets this year reaffirmed his promising start in Melbourne.

The young talent comes from a sporting family background, with his father, Shang Yi, having played soccer for Chinese Super League giants Beijing Guoan and the national team, while his mother, Wu Na, boasts a table tennis world championship title.

As Shang gears up for the third round, tennis enthusiasts eagerly anticipate another exhilarating performance from the rising star on the international stage.

The day also witnessed Chinese women's singles players Zheng Qinwen defeating Katie Boulter of the UK, and Wang Yafan stunned 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu. The results mean an all-Chinese match for a place in the women's last 16.