On November 9, the team competitions of the tennis event at the 15th National Games commenced with first-round matches at the Hengqin International Tennis Center, officially marking the beginning of a 12-day tennis extravaganza.
As of the afternoon of November 10, the four semifinalists in the men's team event had been determined, which are Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Guangdong.
On the opening day, top-ranked players including Shang Juncheng, Zhou Yi, and Shi Han successfully led their respective teams into the quarter-finals.
The first day featured the initial round of the men's and women's team competitions, specifically the knockout stage, narrowing the field from 16 teams down to 8.
In the men's team event, the Beijing team defeated the Shanghai team 2:0, achieving a successful start. Shang Juncheng contributed to the victory by beating Zhu Shixun 6:3, 6:1, claiming his first-ever win at the National Games.
When asked about the difference between the National Games and the professional tour, Shang commented, "The National Games is definitely different. As it's held every four years, everyone might feel a bit more nervous. Overall, the atmosphere is excellent, and I'm very happy to compete here. Representing the Beijing team is a great honor." Regarding his goals at the Games, he stated he would give his all and play to the best of his ability.
In the women's team event, the top-seeded Beijing team, represented by Shi Han and Zhang Ruien, saw both players secure straight-set victories, helping the team overcome the Jiangsu team 2:0. Other teams advancing included Sichuan, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Shanghai, Hubei, and Tianjin.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Photo | Hengqin Online
Editor | Ouyang Yan, Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
