Published: 08:52, October 15, 2024 | Updated: 09:43, October 15, 2024
History made as two Chinese men enter ATP top 50
By Xinhua
Zhang Zhizhen of China returns the ball during the men's singles round of 16 match against Mattia Bellucci of Italy at the ATP 250 Hangzhou Open in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on Sept 21, 2024. (PHOTO / HANDOUT VIA XINHUA) 

BEIJING - Shang Juncheng and Zhang Zhizhen have made history for Chinese men's tennis by securing spots in the ATP top 50 rankings.

According to the latest ATP rankings released on Monday, 19-year-old Shang has broken into the top 50 for the first time, ranking 49th. Along with Zhang who currently sits 46th, this marks the first time two Chinese men's players have simultaneously been listed among the world's top 50.

Shang Juncheng of China hits a return to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on Oct 5, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

During this year's China swing of the tour, Chinese men's players have delivered standout performances. 

Shang claimed his first tour-level title at the ATP 250 Chengdu Open. Zhang faced off against Buyunchaokete in an all-Chinese semifinal at the ATP 250 Hangzhou Open, with Zhang ultimately finishing as the runner-up. 

Buyunchaokete of China competes during the men's singles semifinal match against Jannik Sinner of Italy at 2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 1, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Zheng Qinwen (left) greets Wang Xinyu after the women's singles semifinal match at the 2024 Wuhan Open tennis tournament, Oct 12, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Buyunchaokete, ranked 73rd, also made headlines by reaching the semifinals of the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing, while Wu Yibing advanced to the round of 32 at the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters.

In women's tennis, Wang Xinyu's impressive run to the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open semifinals boosted her ranking by 12 places, putting her at 39th in the world.

READ MORE: The rise of 'China Season' in tennis world

Meanwhile, Zheng Qinwen, the runner-up in Wuhan, remains in seventh place. Yuan Yue is ranked 46th, Wang Yafan sits 60th, and Wang Xiyu rounds out the top 100 for Chinese players as she ranks 98th.