The National Tennis Centre was dominated by singles matches on Day 3, but as evening arrived and the doubles matches began, another side of the China Open gradually unfolded.
In the men’s doubles quarterfinals, China’s Shang Juncheng partnered with Kazakh star Alexander Bublik to edge out the Argentine pair of Máximo González and Andrés Molteni 7-5, 4-6, [10-8] in a tense match-tiebreak to advance to the semifinals.
Even after the match ended, crowds still lingered around the court. Many young fans, holding newly signed tennis balls and cards, were reluctant to put them away. Kun Kun, a first-time spectator at the China Open from Beijing, held up her signed souvenir proudly. She had spent the whole day watching singles matches, but when asked which format she preferred, her answer was straightforward:
“They offer different experiences,” Kun said. “Doubles just has a better atmosphere. The two of them were very energetic and relaxed today, and they interacted well with the crowd. Overall, it was a really fun and happy vibe.”
Fun was the word heard most often from spectators throughout the day. While the stands during singles matches were filled with tension, silence, and the heavy weight of winning or losing, fans watching the doubles were much more relaxed.
Mi Tao came specifically to support Shang Juncheng. “I really like him. So I came just to watch him play,” she said. However, after finishing the doubles match, this young fan, who initially came for singles, shared a deeper view on the doubles format:
“I think it’s mostly about seeing how well two players cooperate and whether they have good chemistry. Sometimes, the results are completely unexpected.”
The word “unexpected” captures the unique charm of doubles. This year’s China Open featured both top-tier star pairings put together at the last minute and long-time partners who have played together for years. Established teams bring polished coordination, while new pairings spark surprising moments. When asked which type she preferred, Mi Tao voted for the element of surprise. She favored the newer combinations that brought more entertainment value.
The atmosphere on the court proved her point. During breaks, Shang and Bublik took time to interact with the crowd, with laughter and applause repeatedly drowning out the movement of the scoreboard. Though the scores shifted back and forth, the energy in the stands remained overwhelmingly positive. This is precisely what sets doubles apart from singles. Beyond winning and losing, it is also a form of entertainment.
Young fan Viki, another follower of Shang Juncheng, watched his singles match yesterday and followed him to the doubles court today. In her eyes, the appeal of doubles lies in its fast pace, team coordination, and the fact that his partner has a real talent for showmanship.
Among the crowd were also long-time fans who have been following the tournament for years. Liu Jinglin has been attending the China Open since 2015. Comparing the two formats, he noted, “Doubles relies more on teamwork and has a faster rhythm, while singles tests a player’s overall individual ability.”
Within the same venue, some fans came for the fun, some for the chemistry on court, and others out of a long-standing habit. Four players, one net, endless side switches and high-fives, along with a few hours of pure joy in the stands—this is what doubles looks like at the China Open.
By Ye Ruixi, Rong Xinyue
Weibo@ChinaOpen
WeChat Channel
Douyin@ChinaOpen
