NEW DELHI: Teenage sensation Shang Juncheng made history by defeating Italy's Olympic bronze medallist Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(4) 6-1 in the Chengdu Open final.
With this victory, Shang becomes only the second Chinese player to win an ATP title.
This win marks Shang's first ATP Tour title. Currently ranked 55 in the world, he is China's number two player. At 19-years-old, Shang is also the youngest ATP winner of the season, reported Reuters.
Li Na remains China's most successful singles player. She won Grand Slam titles at the French Open in 2011 and the Australian Open in 2014. Several women, including Paris Olympics gold medallist Zheng Qinwen, are aspiring to follow in her footsteps.
Success has been more elusive for Chinese men, but Wu Yibing became the first to win an ATP trophy at the Dallas Open last year.
Shang's victory strengthens his bid to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals. This competition, held in Saudi Arabia in November-December, showcases the world's top 20-and-under singles players on the ATP Tour.
