Jerry Shang Defends Chengdu Title Against Brandon Nakashima

Chengdu, China — Jerry Shang returns to action on Friday as he defends his title at the Chengdu Open against fourth-seeded Brandon Nakashima in the second round. This match marks a significant moment for the 20-year-old Shang, who has faced serious challenges this season.

Shang, ranked No. 138 in the world, missed most of the 2025 campaign due to a foot injury. After a long layoff, he struggled in his earlier matches with an 0-3 record. However, he showed resilience on Wednesday by defeating Zizou Begs with a score of 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 to make it to the second round.

In contrast, Nakashima, ranked No. 33, enters the match with momentum, having received a bye in the first round. He is known for his consistency, winning at least one match in his last seven tournaments. This will be the first meeting between the two players, raising questions about Shang’s match fitness against a high-performing opponent.

Meanwhile, another anticipated match features No. 8 seed Lorenzo Sonego taking on Marcos Giron in their second career meeting. Sonego, who is ranked No. 44, managed to win their first encounter in a tight third-set tiebreaker in Metz last year.

Sonego’s current season record stands at 11-20, with most of his ranking points coming from his performances in two Grand Slam tournaments. He advanced in Chengdu with a victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo, scoring 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Giron, ranked 50th in the world, defeated fellow American Ethan Quinn, 7-5, 6-4, in his first match. Although the year has been challenging for Giron, he managed to reach the second round of the U.S. Open.

The outcomes of these matches remain uncertain, but observers expect both Nakashima and Giron to have an edge over their opponents. The matches are set to capture the excitement of the Chengdu Open as players battle for a spot in the quarterfinals.