Australian Open 2024: Who is Sumit Nagal's next opponent - Shang Juncheng?

After his milestone win in the first round of the Australian Open, Sumit Nagal will take on Shang Juncheng in the second round of the first major of the year. Shang, ranked 140th in the world, came back from a set down to beat America’s Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 1-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Nagal, though, became the first Indian player since Ramesh Krishnan in 1989 to beat a seeded opponent at a major, when he defeated Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-2, 7-6. With the win, he is into the second round of a major for the second time in his career, having done so at the 2020 US Open as well. Nagal is the first Indian to reach the second round of the Australian Open since Somdev Devvarman in 2013. Who is Shang Juncheng? Juncheng is nicknamed Jerry after a cartoon character. “Tom and Jerry has been around for a long time and I’d say that was my favourite show,” said Shang on the origins of his nickname. “I think my parents would like me to be as smart as the mouse Jerry.” His parents both have been professional sportspeople with father Shang Yi a former football striker for Beijing Guoan and mother Wu Na, a world champion table tennis player. Based at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA, Shang took up the sport at 5 years old upon the insistence of his parents. If it were not for tennis, the 18-year-old believes he would have taken up golf as a career option. At last year’s Australian Open, Shang reached the second round where he was beaten by Tiafoe, having gone past Oscar Otte in the early round. He beat rising American sensation Ben Shelton twice in two weeks in Washington and Atlanta last year. Runner-up at the 2021 US Open junior’s event, he endured disappointing results last year after the high in Melbourne. It resulted in a change in approach with reduced carbohydrate intake and more consumption of meat and vegetables. In training he focused on running and agility exercise from strength and muscle building. The results have been almost immediate. The 5-foot-11 player, who has a 7-12 win-loss record in his young career, picked up wins against Laslo Djere, Botic van de Zandschulp, Frances Tiafoe - all higher-ranked players - at the Hong Kong Open in the leadup to the Australian Open. What did Sumit Nagal say on his next match? With his opponent still unclear when Nagal spoke to the reporters on Tuesday, the 26-year-old Indian stressed on being in the moment. “I’ve not thought too much about it. I want to go through this moment, take my time, enjoy being with my coach, have conversation, maybe eat a burger or something, and call it a night,” he said.