Alcaraz and Medvedev securing their first China Open victory

By Friday, the first round of the men’s singles at the 2023 China Open has been completed, with many high-profile matches determining the winners, while the qualifying matches for the women’s singles have also begun.

First quarter of the men’s singles

Two-time Grand Slam champion and No.1 seed Carlos Alcaraz defeated German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 6-3, securing his first victory at the China Open. Italian rising star Lorenzo Musetti downed Karen Khachanov 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. The latter just returned to the winners’ circle for the first time since 2018 in Zhuhai. Musetti will challenge Alcaraz in the next round.

No.7 seed Capser Ruud overcame German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6(5), 6-3, also winning his first victory at the China Open, and will face Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the next round.

Second quarter of the men’s singles

A clash between two youngsters born in the 2000s, No.3 seed Holger Rune defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-4, achieving his first victory since Wimbledon and at the China Open.

Former China Open runner-up, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov showed his tenacity and came back from 1-5 down in the second set to defeat Mackenzie McDonald 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-1, and will face Rune in the next round.

Local 18-year-old rising star Shang Juncheng was overturned by Zhuhai runner-up Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5, 5-7, 1-6. Although he failed to win in his first appearance at the China Open, Shang showed his great potential by coming back from 3-5 to win the first set.

No.6 seed Jannik Sinner fought hard in a three-set battle, defeating British Daniel Evans 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3, and will face Nishioka in the next round.

Third quarter of the men’s singles

No.8 seed Alexander Zverev refused to be upset, overturning Diego Schwartzman 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-4, and once again achieved victory at the China Open. He will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who defeated Zhou Yi on Thursday.

No.4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was in a slump, losing 4-6, 4-6 to Chilean Nicolas Jarry, the later will face Italian rising star Matteo Arnaldi in the next round.

Fourth quarter of the men’s singles

No.2 seed and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev lost only 3 games, sweeping Tommy Paul 6-2, 6-1, starting the tournament with a strong performance. His next round opponent will be Alex de Minaur, who downed Andy Murray on Thursday.

No.5 seed Andrey Rublev survived a three-set battle, overturning Cameron Norrie 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, and will face French Ugo Humbert in the next round.

Women’s singles qualifying

All four Chinese girls playing with wild cards unfortunately lost. Ren Yufei was overcome by Elina Avanesyan 3-6, 1-6. Bai Zhuoxuan lost to British Katie Boulter 2-6, 2-6. Wei Sijia was defeated by Belgian veteran Yanina Wickmayer 1-6, 3-6, and You Xiaodi was overturned by Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 4-6, 5-7.

In other qualifying matches, Yulia Putintseva downed Jodie Burrage 6-3, 6-3. Former US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez lost to Eva Lys 4-6, 3-6. Peyton Stearns swept Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-2, 6-1. Laura Pigossi overturned Aliaksandra Sasnovich 0-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. Kamilla Rakhimova overcame Emina Bektas 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(5). Claire Liu defeated her fellow Bernarda Pera 6-2, 6-0. Mirra Andreeva powered past Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 6-4. Lucia Bronzetti defeated Rebecca Marino 6-4, 1-6, 6-2. Magdalena Frech downed Diane Parry 6-4, 6-4. Kateryna Baindl swept Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 6-4. Cristina Bucsa came back from a set to defeat Kayla Day 2-6 6-2 6-1. Ashlyn Krueger overpowered Tamara Korpatsch 7-6(7), 6-1.

Shang Juncheng’s China Open debut

The little boy, who watched women’s singles matches at the Moon Court 13 years ago,  has grown up, and now at the age of 18, he has made his China Open debut at the Lotus Court.

His opponent, Yoshihito Nishioka, had just won the runner-up at the Zhuhai Open and currently ranked No.38 in the world. Although Shang didn’t take the victory, he fought back from 3-5 to win 7-5 in the first set, displaying his future potential.

During the match, many children enthusiastically cheered for Shang Juncheng at the Lotus Court. His journey from a spectator to a professional player has greatly inspired young spectators to dream of following in his footsteps.