Team Michael Chang has taken a narrow 4-3 lead over Team Li Na after an intense first day at the MGM Macau Tennis Masters on Tuesday in Macau, China. The event marks Asia’s inaugural mixed men’s and women’s team tennis tournament, captained by Grand Slam champions Li Na and Michael Chang. The competition also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region.
Team Li Na boasts rising Chinese stars Shang Juncheng and Wang Xinyu, alongside World No. 6 Casper Ruud from Norway. Meanwhile, Team Chang features World No. 8 Andrey Rublev from Russia, 2023 French Open women’s singles runner-up Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic, and Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
The excitement kicked off with a target-hitting challenge, where players aimed to hit as many targets as possible using only one forehand and one backhand. Shang Juncheng shone by hitting three targets, while Michael Chang couldn’t score any, earning Team Li Na the first point.
In the first men’s singles match offering two points, Casper Ruud extended Team Li Na’s lead to 3-0 by defeating Kei Nishikori 4-6, 6-3, 10-7. However, Andrey Rublev turned the tide for Team Chang by beating Shang Juncheng 6-3, 6-4, bringing the score to 3-2.
Rublev then teamed up with Karolina Muchova in the mixed doubles against Shang and Wang Xinyu. The duo clinched a 6-4, 6-3 victory, securing a one-point advantage for Team Michael Chang at the end of the first day.
The competition continues, promising more thrilling matches as both teams vie for the championship.
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Team Michael Chang leads Team Li Na 4-3 at Macau Tennis Masters
cgtn.com
