via Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Image source: MGM Macau Tennis Masters Facebook
Christmas in Macau will be a celebration of tennis.
team leader Li Na (pictured above) and Zhang Depei The line-up has been selected for the 2024 MGM Macau Tennis Masters, which will host Asia’s first mixed men’s and women’s team event.
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The two-day exhibition event is scheduled to take place on December 24th and 25th. Li Na and Zhang Depei selected three outstanding players from the ATP and WTA tours respectively to join their teams.
Team Li Na Featuring China’s Rising Stars Shang Juncheng and Wang Xinyutied with Norwegian Casper Luther.
And on the other side, Zhang Mingzhe’s team Star Andrei Rublev, Karolina Muchova, and Lorenzo Musetti.
The tournament will kick off with the Captain’s Challenge on Tuesday, December 24 at 1pm, followed by the first men’s singles match, with Casper Ruud taking on Lorenzo Musetti Musetti). Their head-to-head record currently stands at 1-1, setting the stage for an exciting battle.
Next, Shang Juncheng will face Andrei Rublev. The two had previously clashed in a regular tour match, with Rublev having the upper hand in Hong Kong. The final match of the first day will be an exciting mixed doubles showdown, with Shang teaming up with Wang Xinyu to take on Rublev and Karolina Muchova.
On Christmas Day, the first match after the Captain’s Challenge will be between Wang Xinyu and Karolina Muchova, who leads 1-0 in the official encounter.
Next up will be another interesting men’s singles match as Kasper Ruud takes on Andrei Rublev. Their rivalry was favorable to Rublev, with a head-to-head record of 5 wins and 3 losses.
The last game of this tournament will be an exciting showdown between Shang Juncheng and Lorenzo Musetti. Shang defeated the Italians in the Chengdu Open final earlier this year to lead their Tour series 1-0.
“I think it’s going to be a great couple of days at the MGM Macau Masters and I’m really looking forward to it and trying to make a plan against Michael’s team,” Li Na said. “I’m happy to have two great Chinese players, Juncheng and Xinyu, by my side, and it would be great to have someone like Casper by our side.”
Zhang was widely regarded as one of the fastest thinkers on the pitch during his playing days and there is no doubt that his acumen will be tested in this unique format.
“We will be ready for whatever Li Na and her team bring,” Zhang said. “I’m excited about the players I have and I know they’re going to give everything they have.
“My players have had great success in Asia and feel comfortable playing here, so we’re ready for the challenge.”
Tickets for the two-day tournament are available via MGM Macau.
Daily ticket prices for VIP seats range from MOP180 to MOP580. Two-day passes range from MOP250 to MOP1,000 for VIP seats.
