| October 2, 2024 | by Vivienne Christie |
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Gael Monfils has only positive memories as he looks back on his long connection with the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The Frenchman featured in the tournament's inaugural edition 15 years ago, with a victory over Roger Federer to reach the 2013 quarterfinals among the many standout matches he's since contested at the event.
The 38-year-old added another happy memory as he opened a seventh main-draw campaign in Shanghai with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Damir Dzhumur on the Stadium Court on Wednesday.
Sealed in one hour and 22 minutes, it continued an encouraging period at ATP Masters 1000-level for Monfils, who defeated world No.23 Alexei Popyrin and stunned No.3 Carlos Alcaraz to reach the third round at the recent Cincinnati Masters.
"I feel good. Most of the time (when) I play tennis, most of the time I enjoy myself, and of course when you have a couple more wins under the belt it's always nicer," he said.
"But it's always special for me to keep coming into press conferences, and win, so I am just like grateful for that."
Monfils could also be grateful for his composed performance against Dzumhur, in which his 22 winners compared to 14 from the Bosnian helped determine the outcome. It adds confidence to a clear but simple priority for Monfils at this late stage of his career.
"I want to win more matches that I can," he commented. "This is big. People think it's a small goal, but it's a big goal, you know, to be able still to win matches, try to be as fit as I can, be ready for big matches."
Monfils was far from the only feel-good story as main-draw matches at the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters commenced.
Wu Yibing opened play on centre court with an upset victory over the 83rd-ranked Sumit Nagal, the world No.538 sealing his 6-3 6-3 victory in one hour and 18 minutes.
"(It was) really good to win today at Centre Court and especially during national holidays, everybody came here and supported us," said Wu.
Registering an impressive 22 winners, against just two from Nagal, Wu reminded fans of the talent that was clear before a foot injury disrupted his rhythm following the 2023 US Open.
With his progress in Shanghai, the 24-year-old could also reflect positively on his progress in the city. "(It's) very good to be back here, and when I wait for the entry of the match, I was thinking about, like, five, six years ago I was here as a kid, as like a challenger to fight through my junior career to ATP-level match, which I have done it pretty well," he said.
Shang Juncheng added to a positive day for Chinese tennis with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Coleman Wong, marking his first main-draw win at the event. The 19-year-old recovered from an early break of serve in the second set, before sealing victory with a deft forehand winner on his first match point.
It highlighted the progress that Shang has made since his 2023 debut as a 156th-ranked wildcard, when he exited to Yosuke Watanuki in the first round. "I still remember last year before walking on court against Watanuki, a great player. I was super nervous. Almost not knowing what to do, just trying to stay alive on the court," he reflected.
"But this year I think that mentally I'm a different person. Tennis, maybe I haven't changed too much but walking on the court I knew exactly what to do. I was being so positive, trying to play my game. So, I think that's a big change for me."
Japan's Kei Nishikori arguably worked hardest for an opening-round victory, requiring almost two-and-a-half hours to claim a 3-6 6-4 6-3 win over world No.40 Argentine Mariano Navone in the final match of the day.
The former world No.4 is competing in Shanghai for the first time since 2018 after navigating a series of injury challenges. "I always enjoy playing this week in Shanghai, so (it) means a lot," said the 34-year-old. "And especially when the match is like this, it's really, really happy."
There was also progress in Shanghai for a trio of qualifiers, with Aleksander Vukic advancing in three sets over Corentin Moutet, Zachary Svajda also requiring a deciding set to overcome Adrian Mannarino and Denis Shapovalov progressing in two tight sets against Lorenzo Sonego.
Botic Van De Zandschulp, Arthur Rinderknech, Alexandre Muller, Arthur Cazaux, Fabio Fognini, Roberto Carballes Baena, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Taro Daniel and Thiago Seyboth Wild were other players to advance to the second round.
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