Wu Yibing becomes first Chinese man to reach the US Open third round since 1881
Wu Yibing is a tennis player from China who plays professionally for the Citi Open in Beijing. The first Chinese man ever to reach the third round of the US Open tournament, he did so after defeating Nicolas Mahut in straight sets.
Wu’s incredible run through the tennis world has already made him an icon in China. We asked him what it has been like living in and playing tennis in the United States, and he said:
“It is quite a journey. You can’t expect to see the same when you are in China. I was very happy when I made it here to the US Open. For a young Chinese person who has never been to the US Open before, it is a big breakthrough.”
Wu is from Suzhou. He first played at the Citi Open in 2009 and was only 16 years old at the time. He has played through the juniors system, and then progressed to the senior tennis circuit where he made his first final in 2010. His progress was slowed, however, when he was injured for three months.
He has been to the US Open three times and has made it to the last 16 in each of those events. He made it to the last 16 at the Open 6 in 2012. He has also made it to the third round at the Open 10 in 2013, the Open 13 in 2015, and the Open 18 in 2017. Last year in the US Open, he made it to the third round in his first two rounds and made it all the way to the fourth round before losing to Milos Raonic in five sets on his first attempt.
His journey to the US Open has also been a rollercoaster ride during his time in the States. His first attempt at the tournament was cut short because of injury and then he tried again but couldn’t get past the first round. After not getting past the first round, he went on to make it to the last 16. In 2017, he had the toughest schedule of his career and made it to the final four before losing to Alexander Zverev. His last US Open tournament was at the Open 20, where he lost to Gael Monfils in the fourth round.
Now he is finally making his way to the US Open court having been denied so many times. He says he