The race to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals 2025 in Jeddah heated up last week as Learner Tien, Dino Prizmic and Shang Juncheng all registered crucial wins on the ATP Tour. Their strong performances in Hangzhou and Chengdu not only boosted their confidence but also improved their chances of securing a ticket to the prestigious year-end event, scheduled for December 17–21.
Tien solidifies top-three standing
American teenager Learner Tien continued his impressive rise with a quarter-final showing at the ATP 250 event in Hangzhou. The 19-year-old took down Mariano Navone and Giulio Zeppieri before bowing out to eventual finalist Valentin Royer.
Currently sitting third in the PIF ATP Live Race to Jeddah, Tien looks well-positioned for a second straight appearance at the under-20 showcase. Last year, he made a statement by reaching the championship match, and this season he’s aiming to go one step further.
Prizmic earns statement win in Chengdu
Croatian talent Dino Prizmic collected his third main-draw ATP Tour win of the season in Chengdu. The 19-year-old, who already owns two ATP Challenger titles in 2025, upset Cincinnati semi-finalist Terence Atmane before stretching Top 10 star Lorenzo Musetti to three tight sets in the second round.
Prizmic sits in fourth place in the Jeddah race and is targeting his first-ever appearance at the Next Gen Finals. His ability to compete with elite names like Musetti suggests he’s ready to take that step.
Shang continues comeback journey
China’s Shang Juncheng added another milestone in his return from injury, defeating Zizou Bergs in the Chengdu opener. The 20-year-old left-hander missed the first half of the season with a foot injury but has shown steady progress since rejoining the tour in July.
Currently ranked 18th in the live race, Shang will need multiple deep runs in the coming weeks to keep his Jeddah hopes alive. He now turns his focus to the ATP 500 event in Beijing, where he opens against Arthur Cazaux.
With just eight weeks left before the season-ending finals, every match is proving decisive. Alexander Blockx (5th), Nicolai Budkov Kjaer (6th), and Martin Landaluce (8th) are competing at the Challenger event in Orleans, while Nishesh Basavareddy (7th) exited early in Beijing qualifying.
The race remains wide open, but for Tien, Prizmic, and Shang, last week’s results could be pivotal in shaping their year-end ambitions.