Wild-card Shang smashes it in Madrid

Chinese prodigy notches up career first Masters clay court victory

China's tennis prodigy Shang Juncheng has again served notice in his meteoric rise on the men's professional circuit with a career-first Masters win on clay in Madrid.

Highlighted by success stories of major champions Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the power shift in men's tennis has seen an inexorable surge toward next-generation talent in recent years, with Shang, a 19-year-old left-hander, emerging strongly as an intriguing prospect to watch among an ambitious pack.

The world No 111 stole the show at the Mutua Madrid Open on Wednesday as he prevailed in a nearly four-hour marathon against Frenchman Corentin Moutet to clinch his first main draw victory on clay at a top-tier ATP1000 tournament.