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#NextGenATP Juncheng Shang beats rain, Jordan Thompson makes history in Atlanta | ATP Tour

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With Ice Cream Looming, #NextGenATP Shang Beats Rain and Purcell in Atlanta

Thompson and Davidovich Fokina play the longest match in tournament history

July 27, 2024

Nick Grace/Atlanta Open

Shang Juncheng beat Max Purcell in three sets on Friday to reach the semifinals in Atlanta.
By ATP Staff

During the second rain interruption of the Atlanta Open quarter-final between Shang Juncheng and Max Purcell on Friday night, the #NextGenATP star wasn’t concerned about where Purcell would serve when play resumed. The 19-year-old had something else on his mind: ice!

“We try to keep it fun, but I stay focused. We talked about having ice cream after the tournament,” Shang said during his on-court interview, laughing. “There’s a store right over there. After the tournament, if I do really well and feel good, maybe I’ll go see you there!”

Shang has put in a strong performance this week to earn his spot. The youngster beat Purcell 7-6(3), 6-4 despite two rain interruptions to reach the second semi-final of his career on the ATP Tour. Earlier this season, he reached the last four in Hong Kong.

The ATP Next Gen Finals presented by PIF contender was leading 5-2 in the first set tie-break when play was suspended due to rain. The weather struck again at 4-4, level in the second set.

Purcell had managed his service games perfectly for most of the second set. But on the restart, Shang attacked his opponent’s forehand to earn the decisive break and then held on before the rain took its toll.

“I think the conditions were tough. It rained twice, especially the first time, and the tie-break was crucial. I think I kept my composure and played some really good tennis,” Shang said. “Max has been playing well on grass recently. It was a really good match and I’m happy to qualify.”



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Shang, who knocked out top-seeded Ben Shelton on Thursday, will next face Jordan Thompson, who earned a historic victory earlier Friday.

The fourth seed eliminated fifth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and three minutes, making their Atlanta Open quarterfinal match the longest in tournament history.

“I feel like I played the longest match in the history of the tournament. It was awfully hot. There wasn’t a lot of clouds today,” Thompson said. “So if you’re playing at 2 p.m., in the middle of the day, not a lot of clouds, it was pretty, pretty tough.”

Davidovich Fokina saved 12 of the 14 break points he faced according to Infosys ATP Stats, but his tenacity under pressure was not enough. Thompson persisted to reach his fourth ATP semi-final of the season.

Earlier this year, the Australian reached four circuit-level semi-finals. He doubled his tally in 2024 and is now two wins away from his second title of the year (Los Cabos).

“Jerry is a very good player, a young left-hander who is coming up,” Thompson said. “He feels like he has nothing to lose and that’s what he’s doing.”

Did you know?
If Shang beats Thompson in the semi-finals, he will move up to second place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah.

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