China serves up more surprises
Shining new breed
Wang's progress on the pro stage highlights the shifting focus of youth training in China.
Nowadays, more young talents are opting to sign with professional clubs, such as the 1123 academy, and international agencies, training and playing overseas supported by foreign coaches, fitness trainers and physiotherapists.
Yi Ping, a former player who founded the 1123 academy in 2010 and has been supporting Wang since her junior days, is confident her program, which is different from the traditional State-run system based on provincial teams, can deliver China more major champions like retired two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na.
Following a similar route to the pro ranks, rising star Wu, an IMG-signed athlete, continued his history-making run in the men's draw on Wednesday after outlasting fellow qualifier Nuno Borges of Portugal in a five-set thriller. Wu, ranked 174th, will next face defending champion and world No 1 Daniil Medvedev in a David vs Goliath showdown on Friday.
Wu, the winner of the 2017 boys' tournament, proved his resilience on the major stage by recovering from two sets to one down to close out 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4),4-6, 6-4, 6-4, in nearly four hours. Wu becomes the first Chinese mainland player to reach the third round of the men's singles at the US Open.
"I think there's more to come. I feel like I'm at the level to play in Grand Slams. Hopefully I stay healthy and keep playing more Grand Slams," said the 22-year-old, whose fledgling career was hampered by a series of injuries for almost two years following his 2017 junior success.
"I think if there is a first time, there is going to be a second time, a third time. I'm happy that I'm the first guy to make this piece of history.
"But, more importantly, this brings hope to all the Chinese fans and kids so we can have more great players in our country, which I think we should have had a long time ago."
Wu's meteoric rise up the rankings－from No 1,869 in March to now likely breaking into the top 150－has boosted his confidence that he can cut it against sometimes more strongly built Western rivals.
"Whenever I play on the international stage, I feel, 'Oh, this is something I'm good at'－not only in our country but also international-wise," said Wu.
Wu is now relishing his biggest test yet in defending champ Medvedev.
"There's no time to celebrate. I have a tough opponent in the next round. I am really looking forward to measuring myself against a top opponent like him," Wu said of the Russian.
