News on February 13, local time on the 12th ATP 250 Dallas men's singles final, China's Wu Yixiang defeated the American Isner 2-1 in three sets, winning the first ATP Tour championship of the individual and Chinese mainland men's tennis, and at the same time refreshed the highest singles ranking of Chinese mainland men's players with 58th. Quite inspiringly, 11 months ago, Wu Yixiang's ranking fell to 1869th in the world.
Since the beginning of this year, Wu Yiyang has been in good shape. In early February, he finished second in the Cleveland ATP Challenge, finishing in the top 100 of the ATP for the first time, becoming the second Chinese player after Zhang Zhizhen.
In this Dallas tournament, Wu Yixiang eliminated Mom, Shapovalov and Manarino all the way to reach the ATP Tour semifinals for the first time in his career. The last time Chinese mainland male players advanced to the Tour semifinals was in 1995.
In the semifinals, Wu Yixiang challenged world No. 8 American Fritz, Wu Yixiang saved all nine break points of his opponent, and finally won 6 (3)-7 7-5 6-4 to win the tournament's top seed and local darling Fritz.
Facing the No. 5 seed and world No. 15 American powerhouse Isner in the final, Wu Yixiang withstood great pressure, and the match situation was glued, and all three sets entered the tie-for-seven battle. Wu Yixiang finally broke through the bombardment of 44 ACE balls, hit seven in the tiebreaker, and after saving 4 match points, won the match 6 (4)-7 7-6(3) 7-6 (12).
In the 2017 US Open junior competition, Wu Yixiang once won the men's singles and men's doubles championships, and immediately turned to professional tennis, which was given great expectations.
However, Wu Yixiang, who has become famous as a teenager, has been plagued by injuries in the past few years, and last March, entering his fifth year of professional tennis, his world ranking was ranked as low as 1869. He set himself the goal of playing the whole season healthy.
Today, Wu Yixiang aims to become a top 30 male tennis player.
When delivering his victory speech after the match, Wu Yixiang first complimented his opponent humorously, "Everyone knows this is my first time, so I will do my best (the audience laughs)... Today was a really tough game, I don't know how many ACEs I was smashed by Isner, 100? Fortunately, Isner donated $100 for each ace, and at least many children will be happy about it. I think I also have a share of credit because when he served the ace ball, I didn't move. Hahaha..."
Isner on the side was also amused.
Afterwards, Wu Yixiang said: "I am here to make history for my country and myself, I am really proud of myself (everyone applauded), especially thanks to my team and fans for their support. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you. ”
He also politely asked the female hostess for advice, "Next, I want to say two words in Chinese." "The other side said no problem.
Afterwards, Wu Yixiang said in Chinese: "All friends at the scene, thank you for coming here to cheer for me." Please continue to look forward to our Chinese men's tennis. We will bring you more wonderful performance, thank you! ”
In this regard, netizens have said that "Nirvana Rebirth" "From the first victory of the Grand Slam main event, to the first entry into the Top100, to the first title of the tour, I didn't expect too many surprises to come so quickly!" "How many times have you fallen on the road, How many times have you broken your wings? Now I don't feel hesitant anymore I want to transcend this ordinary luxury", "He writes history books, Ah Xi goes beyond just a few words", "The history of the Chinese men's tennis is more waiting for Ah Xi to write", "You are the former US Open junior double champion, indeed stumbled a little, fortunately they all came over"": This road is really not easy" "Men's tennis is really difficult to get ahead" "Think about how much irony and white eyes he has suffered along the way" "Bitter and willing to come, You must be healthy."