CHENGDU, September 19, 2025 (Press Release)
American fourth seed Brandon Nakashima got off to a winning start at the Chengdu Open, ousting defending champion Shang Juncheng 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 41 minutes in today’s featured Center Court match.
The 24-year-old world No.33 was first to lose his serve in the third game of the match but levelled matters in the eighth game and then converted the third of three break points in the 12th game to take the first set. Shang, making his comeback on the Asian Swing after missing much of the season due to injury, applied pressure in the second set but could not convert his three break opportunities in the third game. Nakashima then secured a crucial break in the eighth game, at the fourth time of asking, to take the lead and close out the encounter.
“Going into it, I knew it was going to be a tough match. Jerry has had a lot of success here, and it’s great to see him back and playing healthy again. I think I served really well and got more used to the conditions on Center Court after the first few games,” said Nakashima, who fired 13 aces during the match.
Earlier in the day, Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo produced a stunning performance to shock second seed Luciano Darderi, 6-4, 6-3, in one hour and 26 minutes. The 28-year-old world No.112 hit 12 aces, saved all four break points he faced, and clinically converted the only break opportunity he created in each set to reach his first quarterfinal of the season.
“I’m so happy. I knew Luciano has had a great year and that it was going to be a tough match. I just tried to stay solid and thankfully my fitness held up. It’s been a year full of injuries, so being in another quarterfinal is really motivating, and hopefully I can keep going,” said Tabilo.
Australia’s Christopher O’Connell ended the hopes of Chinese wild card Zhou Yi, defeating the 20-year-old 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes to reach the quarterfinals in Chengdu for the second time, and his second quarterfinal this year. The 31-year-old world No.103 fired 14 aces and converted four of seven break points, while Zhou saved three match points in a tense finish.
“As good as it gets”
The magic touch from Christopher O’Connell@ChengduOpen | #ChengduOpen pic.twitter.com/0oBCVm4kGc
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 19, 2025
“I thought I played really well from the start. I maybe struggled a little in closing out, but I knew it was going to be a tough match. I watched him play here in the second round last year and knew he was a good player, so I wasn’t surprised,” said O’Connell.
Eighth seed Lorenzo Sonego also exited at the hands of American Marcos Giron, losing 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes. Giron applied constant pressure on the Italian’s serve, creating eight break chances and converting one in each set, while saving the only two breaks he faced. The 32-year-old improves on his previous best Chengdu performance, having reached the second round in 2023.
