Shang Juncheng of China celebrates after winning the men's singles 1st round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
MELBOURNE, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Shang Juncheng opened his Australian Open campaign with a four-set win over former top-10 player Roberto Bautista-Agut on Monday.
The 20-year-old hit 63 winners in a 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-0 victory in two hours and 52 minutes.
Shang, a former world No. 47, reached the third round at the Australian Open and U.S. Open in 2024, but struggled to regain his best form last year as he battled a foot injury.
Backed by a strong Chinese contingent in the crowd, Shang started aggressively and struck 14 winners to take the opening set.
Bautista-Agut, a former world No. 9, responded to level the match, but Shang maintained the pressure with his groundstrokes and closed out the win with a forehand return winner.
Shang, currently ranked No. 318, will next face 27th seed Brandon Nakashima or Botic van de Zandschulp. ■
Shang Juncheng of China hits a return during the men's singles 1st round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain hits a return during the men's singles 1st round match against Shang Juncheng of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Shang Juncheng of China hits a return during the men's singles 1st round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain hits a return during the men's singles 1st round match against Shang Juncheng of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Shang Juncheng of China hits a return during the men's singles 1st round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Shang Juncheng of China reacts during the men's singles 1st round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Shang Juncheng of China celebrates scoring during the men's singles 1st round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
