Mouratoglou explains why Shang could have the perfect game for UTS

UTS founder Patrick Mouratoglou believes Juncheng Shang may have the perfect game for the UTS format.

Shang, called in as a late replacement for the injured Nick Kyrgios at Chubb UTS Hong Kong with Humansa, will be making his debut in the competition on Tuesday, October 14.

The 20-year-old from China already has one ATP Tour title to his name, and while he’s struggled with injuries in 2025, is one of the sport’s most exciting Asian prospects.

“Jerry Shang is a very interesting player,” Mouratoglou explained. “He’s young, he has a huge potential. He’s been top 50 already – at the moment he’s dropped his ranking a little bit, but he was top 50. Just to say that he has a great level.”

Shang will join other top players Alex de Minaur, Zhizhen Zhang, Jakub Mensik, Francisco Cerundolo, Adrian Mannarino, Coleman Wong and Andrey Rublev to compete for the third UTS event of the season next week.

A game built for UTS

While experience isn’t on his side, Mouratoglou believes that being one of two left-handed players at the event gives Shang an edge. 

“He’s a lefty as well, like Mannarino. So we’ll have a second one,” he said. “But completely different game from Mannarino. 

“He’s staying very close to the baseline, very aggressive. Loves to hit shots down the line, on the run. Quite an unpredictable player, taking the ball early, pushing, very offensive. So really cool tennis to watch. 

“It’s great because we have two lefties and completely different kind of lefties. One is super aggressive, taking early, playing flatter, the second one is a counter puncher, never trying to dictate the game, but liking that his opponent does.”

Shang’s build is not that of a typical tennis player – he’s just 180cm (5’11”) and 73kg (162lbs), so doesn’t have the raw physicality that is becoming more and more common. However, Mouratoglou says that the Chinese native has adapted his game to suit his size, in a way that could help his chances in the UTS format. 

“He’s not very tall, he’s not very strong physically,” he said. “But he’s taking very good advantage of this by seeing the ball early, taking the ball early, cutting the trajectories as much as he can. It’s a modern tennis that he plays.

“In the final four of UTS, the player profile is guys that are really good at rallying, very consistent, good movers and good cardio. He can be this type of player.”

Shang’s first match is against Mensik on Tuesday. Win, and he’ll face either De Minaur or Zhang for a spot in the final the following day.