Shang and Babel continue rankings charge with Grade A Criciuma titles

China’s Juncheng Shang continued his charge towards the summit of the boys’ rankings as Oceane Babel of France enhanced her burgeoning reputation at JA Criciuma in Brazil – the maiden Grade A tournament of the season.

Second seed Shang defeated qualifier Miguel Gomes of Portugal, 6-2 7-6(4), in the boys’ final, with Babel topping the girls’ podium courtesy of a 7-6(3) 6-4 victory over Slovakia’s Bianca Behulova.

Following Hanwen Li’s triumph at the Banana Bowl 12 months ago, it is the second successive year that a Chinese boy has triumphed in Criciuma, while a maiden Grade A title accelerates Shang’s rankings march considerably.

The 16-year-old has been in impressive form during the early months of 2021 and lifted silverware at J1 Salinas in Ecuador last month before reaching the semi-finals at J1 Porto Alegre, also in Brazil.

Like Shang, who is now fourth in the boys’ rankings, Criciuma is a first Grade A crown for Babel also. By going the distance, the 17-year-old built upon her last-four finish at Porto Alegre to signal her early season intentions.

Her trophy-winning exploits have seen Babel rise 12 places to No. 6 in the girls' standings, while she follows in the footsteps of compatriot Diane Parry, who sealed the title in Criciuma in 2019. Parry would go on to enjoy a stellar campaign and finish the season as the No. 1-ranked girl on the planet. Time will tell whether Babel can do the same. 

This year’s Banana Bowl assumed added significance with it being the first Grade A competition of the season following the postponement of the 2021 Australian Open Junior Championships and the cancellation of JA Barranquilla amid Covid-19 protocols.

Shang and Babel have therefore made a significant statement of intent, with the next Grade A event scheduled to take place from 17-23 May in Milan, Italy.