At the Bank of China Hong Kong Open, wildcard Jerry Shang achieved a remarkable win against Laslo Djere, with a final score of 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(8) after almost three hours of play and saving two match points. Observers are expecting good things from Shang in 2024. In a stunning upset, Jan-Lennard Struff saved seven match points against Marin Cilic, who was seeking his first win in a year, and won 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(7) despite Cilic having nine match points throughout the match. Additionally, No. 6 seed Lorenzo Musetti ended a six-match losing streak with a 6-4, 7-5 win over the talented local wildcard Coleman Wong, signaling a positive beginning to his 2024 campaign.
Kicking off 2024 with a win 😎 @Lorenzo1Musetti defeats Coleman Wong 6-4 7-5 @Hkto_mens https://t.co/gsVOU7NJrb
Tough battle ⚡️ @Lorenzo1Musetti fought past Wong 6-4, 7-5 to advance into the second round. @Hkto_mens | #BOCHKTO2024 https://t.co/lkMBdL2Y5j
Lorenzo Musetti beats the very talented local wild card Coleman Wong (19yo) 6-4, 7-5 to reach the 2nd round in Hong Kong. Ends a 6-match losing streak to start 2024 with a win.
Nine match points—9️⃣—were not enough for Marin Cilic, who began his comeback from injury with an astonishingly brutal loss to Jan-Lennard Struff: https://t.co/Ta7MKS9rlS
A @Lorenzo1Musetti masterpiece 🎨 A Lovely backhand from the No. 6 seed on his way to taking the opener 6-4 over Wong. @Hkto_mens | #BOCHKTO2024 https://t.co/zMgGNBaOVl
9 match points saved! 😮 @Struffitennis had to dig deep to get past Cilic! @Hkto_mens | #BOCHKTO2024 https://t.co/ZA99eIdvfS
UNBELIEVABLE! Jan Lennard Struff saves NINE MATCH POINTS and beats Marin Cilic 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(7) in 3h06 to reach the 2nd round in Hong Kong. Cilic was 6-3, *5-2 up. Served twice for the match, had 5 MPs in the 2nd set, 4 MPs in the 3rd. Also lead 5-3 in the 3rd st tiebreak.
Goodness we might have already seen the most brutal defeat of 2024. Marin Cilic led 6-3 *5-2 and had 9 (NINE) match points in total, but lost 7-6 in the third to Jan-Lennard Struff 😬😬😬
Struff saves three more MPs -- 8 in total -- and forces a 3rd set tiebreak against Cilic in Hong Kong...
Big tennis on a big point from @cilic_marin 💥 @Hkto_mens https://t.co/brj48puFw3
Struff already saved SEVEN match points...
A @cilic_marin beauty from deeeep 😮💨 #BankOfChinaHKOpen https://t.co/sbjq1RXnWs
Wow. Struff takes the 2nd set vs. Cilic. From 2-5* and 5 MPs saved... 3-6, 7-6(4)... Marin is looking for his first win in a year...
Marin Cilic was 6-3, *5-2 up on Struff and had FIVE match points at *5-4. Broken both times when serving for the match... 5-5.
Very impressive start 💫 Terrific forehand return from @cilic_marin on his way securing the opener 6-3 over Struff! @Hkto_mens | #BOCHKTO2024 https://t.co/EyCIEidYiw
Good to see you back @cilic_marin 🙌 @Hkto_mens | #BOCHKTO2024 https://t.co/Ki8DWdAjYA
Back in action! @cilic_marin returns to the ATP Tour for his first match since July 🇭🇷💪 #BankOfChinaHKOpen https://t.co/Q4OMp86OJj
WOW👏 Jerry Shang fends off two match points en route to a thrilling victory over Djere 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(8)! @Hkto_mens | #BOCHKTO2024 https://t.co/fJVlYMWW0F
The wildcard delights the crowd in Hong Kong! 🤩 Shang defeats Djere 6-7 6-3 7-6 #BankOfChinaHKOpen https://t.co/J5Ok2yVLHm
What a win for Jerry Shang in Hong Kong. 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(8) vs. Laslo Djere, almost three hours an saving two match points. Expecting good things from him in 2024.