PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah Update: Mensik, Michelsen, Shang in control after US Open
Wins at the US Open for Alex Michelsen, Shang Juncheng and Jakub Mensik have enhanced the trio’s chances of qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, which takes place from 18-22 December.
The 19-year-old Shang earned wins against Alexander Bublik and Roberto Carballes Baena to reach the third round at a major for the second time. The Chinese lefty, who advanced to the last 32 in Melbourne in January, pushed former finalist Casper Ruud to five sets in the third round but ultimately fell short.
Shang, who is third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, will next head to Asia, where he will compete on home soil at the ATP 250 event in Chengdu.
PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah
| Player | Points |
| 1) Arthur Fils | 1615 |
| 2) Alex Michelsen | 1016 |
| 3) Shang Juncheng | 795 |
| 4) Jakub Mensik | 770 |
| 5) Luca Van Assche | 425 |
| 6) Joao Fonseca | 365 |
| 7) Vilius Gaubas | 286 |
| 8) Henrique Rocha | 265 |
| 9) Learner Tien | 243 |
| 10) Coleman Wong | 242 |
Czech Jakub Mensik advanced to the third round at Flushing Meadows in 2023 and was back at it in 2024. The 19-year-old, currently fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, held three match points against Nuno Borges in the third round but ultimately fell just short of reaching the fourth round at a Slam for the first time.
While Shang and Mensik are aiming to make their debuts in Jeddah, second-placed Michelsen is trying to return for the second time.
The 20-year-old American backed up final runs on home soil in Newport and Winston-Salem by earning a match win in New York. Michelsen beat Eliot Spizzirri in the first round but then ran into eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Lower down the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, eighth-placed Henrique Rocha and 10th-placed Coleman Wong reached the semi-finals at ATP Challenger Tour events in Cassis, France and Shanghai, respectively.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]