DALLAS. Wu Yibing became the first Chinese player to win an ATP Tour title by going in a three-set tiebreaker thriller to beat John Isner at the Dallas Open.
Wu cleared 44 aces from Isner with a big serve – one short of a three-set record – and four match points in a 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 7-6(12) win. The 23-year-old became the first Chinese player to reach an ATP final.
Wu also returned from a set to beat American top seed Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals. In Wu’s victory over Isner, the fifth seed who was playing in his hometown tournament, there were no service breaks.
“It’s not just about winning the title, I think it’s more about me personally making history and also for the country,” said Wu, who was the first Chinese to reach the third round of the US Open when he did it’s in qualifying. last year.
“This is very important for the next generation,” Wu said. “As for me, I need to keep going, keep my body healthy. I’m sure there’s more to come.”
Leading 8-7 in the third set tiebreaker, Isner came up to net for an easy volley that hit the top of the net and stayed on Isner’s side. The 6-foot-10 American felt his opportunity was wasted, sat for a few minutes and fiddled with the strings on his racquet.
Wu saved another match point at 10-9 and had four match points of his own in the final tiebreaker before finally converting an Isner serve when Isner sent a right hand wide of Wu’s return.
Wu fell on his back in disbelief and remained lying long enough for Isner to stumble upon the net to congratulate him.
It was the first decider-set tiebreaker in Wu’s career, making it to the top 60 rankings for the first time.
Struggling with injuries that kept him off the field for most of the 2019/20 season before the pandemic upstaged him, Wu was #1121 a year ago.
“I’ve been through a lot,” Wu said. “I think the reason I’m relaxed on the tennis courts now is because I trust myself. If you want to beat me, you’ll have to work hard.”
Since his return, Wu has a 50-10 match record and won three ATP Challenger titles before his breakthrough in Dallas.
Isner attempted his 17th career title in his 31st final. He reached the semi-finals at the first Dallas Open last year before losing in the semi-finals to eventual champion Reilly Opelka.
Wu Yibin ahead of John Isner, takes first place from China with ATP Tour title originally appeared on NBCSports.com
Source: sports.yahoo.com
