Three strikes in a row and plenty more to come — Chinese tennis has swung off its anticipated home series in style, with a triumphant opening night on the men's circuit setting a victorious tone.
The annual "China Swing" on the professional tennis calendar got off to a flying start for local fans on Wednesday after three Chinese men, led by the country's first ATP title winner Wu Yibing, each pulled off a tough three-set win at two ATP 250 tournaments held concurrently in the country, to underline their collective continuous rise on the men's circuit.
Wrapping up a memorable night for the Chinese men was former junior world No 1 Wu, who proved once again that, if he stays fit, he belongs among the elites at the senior level by stunning sixth-seeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 7-6 (5),7-5 in front of a boisterous home crowd on a rainy night at the Hangzhou Open.
A native of the Zhejiang provincial capital, an emotional Wu addressed his hometown fans after securing a first win in his third match at the venue, following a tough third-round loss to Coleman Wong Chak-lam of Hong Kong, China, at the 2023 Asian Games and his injury-enforced retirement, also against Wong, in the first round at the tournament's inaugural edition last year.
For the talented ball striker, who'd made his name as early as eight years ago by winning the 2017 US Open boys' title, the long-awaited home win came a bit late, yet right at the time he needs it the most.
"My first win here in three years," the tearful 25-year-old said, before taking a long pause to compose himself during his post-match interview.
"Normally, I am a good speaker, but tonight I feel I am a bit off doing this, because I am just so happy to finally win for the first time at home after experiencing so many setbacks due to injuries.
"To come back home with a win, and having all my family, friends and fans supporting me, I really couldn't ask for more. It's all worthwhile," said Wu, who won Chinese men's first Tour-level title at the ATP 250 Dallas Open in Texas in 2023 and reached a career-high ranking of No 54.
Boasting an aggressive style of play and early exposure to the pro circuit, Wu has long been touted as a flagbearer of the Chinese men's surge, yet a series of injuries on his shoulder, foot and back have slowed him down, dragging him into a mire of surgeries and subsequent rehabs over the past five years.
Now that he's returned to the top-200, all the way from below No 500 a year ago, Wu said he doesn't mind undertaking the climb again, knowing he has what it takes to jostle with the world's best.
"I've always believed in my game, drawing confidence from the work I put into training on daily basis, and the drills I had against elite players," said Wu, currently ranked 196th this week.
"Hopefully, I can win more matches during the home run this year, leaving more beautiful stories to tell on my journey (back to the top)."
A few hours earlier, in China's southwestern Sichuan province, Wu's younger compatriot Shang Juncheng, another surging talent on the men's tour, opened his title defense at the ATP 250 Chengdu Open with a commanding 6-1, 5-7,6-4 win over Belgian Zizou Bergs to announce his return from a long injury layoff that had sidelined him for six months this year.
Recovered from a foot surgery he underwent in March, the 20-year-old Shang, who made his country proud last year by winning his maiden ATP title in Chengdu, dug deep to hold off the world No 46 and register his first win at, perhaps, the most important tournament since returning to action in July.
"It's never easy coming back from surgery — your body feels completely different, and the rehab was really tough," said Shang, who held a career-high ranking of No 47 in October last year.
"If I had to choose the timing for my comeback and to feel fully healthy again, I'd pick this tournament. Chengdu means a lot to me, and I just love being back in a home environment where I feel so supported."
Shang's victorious opener made it a double delight for the center court fans in Chengdu, following a surprising first-round win by another 20-year-old talent, Zhou Yi, who upset British fifth seed Cameron Norrie 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (2) over two hours and 44 minutes.
It marked a first victory over a top-50 opponent for No 304-ranked Zhou, as well as his first Tour-level win this season.
