Wu Yibing has made history as the first player from China to lift an ATP Tour trophy. This achievement came after a grueling battle at the Dallas Open on Sunday, where he defeated American John Isner in a three-set thriller that required a tiebreaker in every set. Despite facing 44 aces from the veteran Isner and narrowly escaping four championship points, the 23-year-old refused to fold. By reaching and winning this final, Wu has set a new precedent for Chinese tennis, winning a memorable match with a final score of 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (12).
Wu Yibing became the first Chinese player to win an ATP Tour title, rallying in a three-set, all-tiebreaker thriller to beat American John Isner in the Dallas Open on Sunday. The young Chinese player survived 44 aces from the big-serving Isner and also saved four championship points to down Isner. The 23-year-old Wu was the first Chinese player to feature in an ATP final. Wu fought well and played with a never-give-up attitude to secure a memorable 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (12) win to script history.
Before this week's breakthrough, Chinese tennis had never seen a player reach a tour-level final in the Open Era or defeat a Top 10 ranked opponent. Wu managed to break both of these barriers simultaneously during his semi-final victory against World No. 8 Taylor Fritz, a momentum that carried him all the way to a historic title win for his country.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Wu fell to the court the moment the match ended. The final against the fifth-seeded Isner was a display of serving dominance, with neither player managing a single service break. Isner, competing in his hometown, put up a legendary serving performance; his total of 44 aces fell just one short of the 45-ace record set by Ivo Karlovic back in 2015 for a three-set match.
\"I've done something historic for my home and my country,\" Wu remarked during the trophy presentation. He emphasized that while the title is great, the personal achievement of breaking new ground is what matters most. This victory adds to his growing resume, as he previously became the first Chinese man to reach the third round of the U.S. Open as a qualifier last year.
Wu noted that this win would serve as a huge inspiration for future generations of players in China. He expressed a desire to stay healthy and keep pushing forward, believing that this is only the beginning. He also shared his pride in the achievement and offered heartfelt thanks to his support team and the fans who cheered him on throughout the event.
The match reached a fever pitch in the second set when Isner had a championship point on Wu's serve at 6-5, but Wu remained composed and fought back. The tension peaked in the final set's tie-break, where the first 22 points were all held on serve. Eventually, Wu forced a forehand error from Isner to seal the victory. After nearly three hours of play against the 6'10\" American, Wu emerged victorious, denying Isner a chance to claim his 17th career title in his 31st final appearance.