At the ATP 500 event in Washington D.C., the Chinese mainland's Wu Yibing showcased poise and power to topple 10th seed Alexei Popyrin in a nail-biting three-set duel, finishing 7-5, 5-7, 6-3. The 25-year-old's triumph not only thrilled the crowd but also set the stage for a blockbuster round of 16 clash against world No. 8 Daniil Medvedev.
The opening set saw Wu cling to every point, eventually breaking serve late to seal it 7-5. Popyrin, ranked 24th globally, responded fiercely in set two, erasing deficits and striking breaks to level the match with a mirror 7-5 scoreline.
In the decider, Wu dug deep, fending off break points and dialing up his signature forehand to build a crucial 3-0 lead. He maintained his composure under pressure, wrapping up the final set 6-3 and booking his spot among the last 16.
Next up, Wu faces Russian powerhouse Daniil Medvedev, the tournament's eighth seed. The head-to-head between the up-and-comer and the established Grand Slam contender promises high stakes and high drama.
Elsewhere on the court, the Chinese mainland's Buyunchaokete bowed out against seventh-seeded Alex de Minaur, falling 7-6(5), 6-2. The mixed results highlight the depth and potential of players hailing from the Chinese mainland as they navigate the ATP Tour.
Reference(s):
Wu battles past Popyrin to set up clash with Medvedev in Washington
cgtn.com
