Shang upsets Agut to reach Australian Open 2nd round

China's Shang Juncheng opened his Australian Open campaign with a four-set win over former top-10 player Roberto Bautista-Agut on Monday.

Shang Juncheng of China hits a return during the men's singles 1st round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

The 20-year-old hit 63 winners in a 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-0 victory in two hours and 52 minutes.

Shang, a former world No. 47, reached the third round at the Australian Open and U.S. Open in 2024, but struggled to regain his best form last year as he battled a foot injury.

Backed by a strong Chinese contingent in the crowd, Shang started aggressively and struck 14 winners to take the opening set.

Bautista-Agut, a former world No. 9, responded to level the match, but Shang maintained the pressure with his groundstrokes and closed out the win with a forehand return winner.

Shang, currently ranked No. 318, will next face 27th seed Brandon Nakashima or Botic van de Zandschulp.