Yibing wins China’s first boys’ Slam title

WU YIBING served notice to the world that Chinese men’s tennis is on the rise after capturing a milestone Grand Slam boys’ singles title at the US Open.

The 17-year-old second seed from Hangzhou became China’s first boys’ Slam singles champion by defeating Argentina’s top-seeded Axel Geller 6-4, 6-4.

“I think this is showing ourselves and showing the world Chinese boys can be good and better – and Chinese men.”

Yibing made his best prior Grand Slam singles run into this year’s Australian Open semi-finals and also reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

In doubles, Yibing joined with Taiwan’s Hsu Yu-Hsiou to become the first all-Asian pair to capture the US Open boys’ doubles crown, defeating Japan’s Toru Horie and Yuta Shimizu 6-4, 5-7, 11-9.

“It’s a really happy (feeling) to win the doubles and singles here,” Yibing said. “And thank you to all the Chinese people here. It’s for China. It’s for me.”

The doubles took its toll on Yibing during the fortnight as well. I’m a little bit tired from the doubles,” he said.

“I just hoped to do my best. I just (attacked) the return and tried to do more rallies.

“I’m trying to give him pressure and try to cover with my volley.”

The only other Asian player to take the US Open boys’ title was India’s Leander Paes in 1991.

Asked about his career goals, Yibing didn’t jump into an obvious reply about becoming Asia’s first men’s singles Grand Slam champion.

“Top 100,” he said. “Yes, the first goal. Easy.”

Asia’s nearest men’s singles Grand Slam title hope was 2014 US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori of Japan.

Past US Open boys’ champions who won Grand Slam singles titles include Australia’s Pat Cash, Sweden’s Stefan Edberg, American Andy Roddick and Britain’s Andy Murray.