Getting off to a Shang-tastic start

With the men's tour switching its focus to the ATP 500 China Open, which kicks off its main draw on Thursday, history looks set to be made soon, with three top-100 Chinese men entering the Beijing tournament for the first time — and they all seem quite motivated to do their home crowd proud again.

"The China Open is very special to me. The first time I saw professional tennis was here," Shang, a Beijing native, said at the National Tennis Center in the capital on Wednesday.

"I played my first time here last year, I felt the pressure playing at home. This year, I've learned to focus more on myself and to enjoy every moment.

"For the whole year, I've been trying to adjust my mentality, trying to relax. I think being relaxed will help raise my level. I hope I can do this again at this tournament."

To the excitement of fans in Beijing, Shang was drawn against Buyunchaokete in the opening round on Friday, guaranteeing at least one Chinese man advances to the second round at the Diamond Court.

The 41st-ranked Zhang opens his Beijing campaign against Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the current world No 64.

With their women's counterparts traditionally enjoying a much bigger fan following and greater recognition off the court, during the home stretch, both Shang and Buyunchaokete take pride from the collective surge of the men in recent years.

"Having really steady performances recently, and so many Chinese players in the top 100, is indeed very good news for Chinese tennis," said Shang, who grew up loving the sport, watching tennis as a toddler at the China Open with his parents.

"If I can inspire any other young player, I will be really happy."

Buyunchaokete, known as Bu to his fans, also attributed his own meteoric rise this season to the impact and camaraderie of role models and senior compatriots like Zhang.

"You'll be brave enough to have bigger dreams and ambitions," Bu said of earlier breakthroughs by Zhang and Wu, winner of China's first ATP title.

"If nobody has achieved it, it would be really hard to believe in yourself. If nobody has done it, I would be hesitant to believe I could do it, or whether I can set a goal like this.

"If somebody has made the breakthrough, that will give me self-confidence and determination to follow my goals. This kind of impact is very mutual and is very positive to the whole younger generation."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn