Jerry Shang started to make a name for himself on the ATP Tour in 2023 and he figures to be one of 2024 breakout stars.
In fact, Andrey Rublev faced 2023 Newcomer of the Year Arthur Fils in the Bank of China Open quarterfinals on Friday and now the Russian runs into an opponent who could be the next Newcomer of the Year. Their first-ever meeting on Saturday night figures to be a fun one with both players in fine form and because they feature a contrast in styles.
Shang is a left-hander who can pack a decent punch when he wants to from the back of the court but at this point in his young career is of a relatively slight build and mostly relies on guile and defensive skills. The total package has served him well this week in Hong Kong, where the world No. 183 outlasted both Laslo Djere and Botic van de Zandschulp in third-set tiebreakers before upsetting Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4.
Rublev’s huge hitting from the baseline carried him to another appearance in the Nitto ATP Finals last season. The world No. 5 was great from start to finish in 2023, racking up three more Grand Slam quarterfinal performances to go along with his maiden Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo. Picking up right where he left off, Rublev has advanced in Hong Kong with victories over Fils (in three sets) and Liam Broady.
Rublev is on a roll and Shang has to be running on fumes a bit both physically and mentally, so this one should go in favor of the top seed.
Pick: Rublev in 2
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