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SEVEN AUSSIES SET TO FEATURE IN THE SHANGHAI MASTERS



Qualifier Li Tu will join six other Australian men ready to compete at the Rolex Shanghai Masters 1000 event.


The 28-year-old defeated Chinese local Linang Xiao 6-2 6-2 to book his first main draw berth at a Masters tournament.


It comes off the back of a successful US Open campaign over four weeks ago where Tu also qualified for the main draw and snatched a set from four-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz on Arthur Ashe Stadium.


Despite facing adversity throughout his career, including a six-year retirement spell, the world No.193 spoke to The First Serve's Brett Philipps after qualifying for Flushing Meadows.


"I knew my tennis wasn't an issue and that I could produce a high level," he told The First Serve. "I guess this week it was about believing - believing in the hard work, believing that I could do this and to go in with the belief that I'm going to qualify. In a way, I can't believe it actually happened.


"Tennis is a tough sport and I've had my downs this year for sure. There was a stint in April when I didn't win a match for six weeks and you start questioning.


"There are painful moments and you have to ride the highs and lows, but it's made a lot of hard work pay off. It's nice to get a really big up when you've experienced the emotional rollercoaster that is tennis."


Tu will face America's Marcos Giron in the round of 128 tomorrow.



Creeping ever so closer to a top-70 return, Christopher O'Connell has been dealt a daunting matchup against former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.


However, the powerful-hitting Italian is doubtful to feature having retired due to injury after claiming the opening set against Arthur Fils in Tokyo last week.


Rinky Hijikata will aim to replicate his impressive straight sets victory against Miomir Kecmanović in Los Cabos earlier this year, while James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic will fancy their chances against former world No.7 David Goffin and Frenchman Corentin Moutet respectively.


Reigning Montreal Masters champion Alexei Popyrin has the luxury of a bye in the first round thanks to his No.20 seeding, as he awaits the winner of Hijikata and Kecmanović.


Also receiving a free pass to the second round is 26th seed Jordan Thompson who will meet either Tallon Griekspoor or Facundo Díaz Acosta, before a potential meeting with world No.3 Alexander Zverev in round three.


The tournament runs from October 2-13.







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