ATP Tour

Shang saves 5 MPs, stuns Rublev in Montreal

Shang Juncheng earned one of the most memorable wins of his career Tuesday when he saved five match points to upset 10th seed Andrey Rublev at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers. The 21-year-old escaped the 2024 finalist 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5) after two hours and 44 minutes to earn his fifth career Top-20 win.

After letting slip a set and break lead, Shang appeared on his way to a disappointing exit when Rublev served for the match at 5-3 in the decider. The Chinese star earned a break and then won a topsy-turvy, seven-deuce game, during which he fended off five match points behind his serve.

"Andrey is a great friend, a great competitor and a good champion," Shang said. "It is a pleasure to share the court with him since the last time we played in Hong Kong. But more happily, I'm healthy. I'm definitely playing my best tennis and just happy to be in Montreal."

Competing in just his second tour-level event since February, Shang holds a 5-5 season record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Into the Montreal third round, the lefty awaits 19th seed Luciano Darderi. Later in the day, Darderi advanced after Gabriel Diallo retired in the second set due to injury. The Italian led 6-4, 2-3 when the Canadian could not continue.

In other action, French lefty Terence Atmane defeated Jack Draper 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, spoiling the Briton’s return in his first event since Eastbourne in June. Atmane remained aggressive with his forehand, controlling rallies from the centre of the court to maintain the upper hand.

The 24-year-old held his nerve to save all three break points he faced in the decider, according to Infosys ATP Stats, avoiding any late drama against the former World No. 4.

Draper was overcome with emotion during the changeover at 1-4 in the third set, perhaps a visible reflection of frustration caused by physical struggles that have hampered him.

Former No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced past Martin Damm 6-4, 6-4 to set a second-round clash against #NextGenATP star and 22nd seed Joao Fonseca.

Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor ousted Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(5), 7-5 to earn a 12th Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with top seed Alexander Zverev. The German leads their series 9-2.