By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday Febuary 8, 2023
Wu Yibing celebrates his first week inside the Top-100 by reaching his maiden ATP quarterfinal in Dallas.
Photo Source: TTV
China’s Wu Yibing – the newest member of the ATP’s Top-100 – continues to ride the hot hand. The 23-year-old from Hangzhou tripped up Canada’s Denis Shapovalov for his biggest career win on Wednesday night at the Dallas Open, 7-6(1), 6-4.
Wu had been hovering inside the ATP’s Top-500 for several years, but injuries and the pandemic took him as low as 1869 in the ATP rankings last April. Since then he has stormed up the ladder, clearing over 1700 spots to finish the year just outside the Top-100.
Wu cracked the Top-100 this week after reaching the Cleveland Challenger final over the weekend.
He was 37-7 across all levels, with three challenger titles, in 2022.
On Wednesday Wu was on the front foot for most of the night against Shapovalov, creating and cashing in on opportunities as he moved ahead by a break in both sets. The Chinese won 18 of 28 second-serve points and saved three of five break points against 27th-ranked Shapovalov.
Shapovalov did not make it easy for Wu. The Canadian rallied from a break down in the opener, and had a break point for 5-4 before Wu saved it and dominated in the tiebreak. Wu was strong with the forehand and his serve, which topped out at 136.
Shapovalov rallied from a break down in set two, but was broken a third time, for 4-3. From that point Wu only dropped one more point on serve as he closed with authority.
Wu will face either Jordan Thompson or Adrian Mannarino in the quarters.
Tiafoe in form as he trounces McDonald
Mackenzie McDonald never had a chance during Wednesday evening’s tilt against Frances Tiafoe. The 14th ranked “Foe”, a semifinalist at last year's US Open, was that good. Clearly hungry for victories after his heartbreaking third-round loss to Karen Khachanov at the Australian Open, the 25-year-old went on the attack early and often against the former UCLA Bruin as he powered to a 6-1, 6-3 victory in just over 58 minutes.
Tiafoe was alert, active and decisive as he bullied 59th-ranked McDonald in a lopsided affair that saw the Maryland native drop just 10 points on serve as he saved the only break point he faced.
Tiafoe hit 15 winners against 5 unforced errors and won 63 percent of the points in the match.
"I haven't played in a couple of weeks and I'm really determined,” Tiafoe told Blair Henley on court after his win in Dallas. “I had a short Australian Open. I wanted a much better Australian Open, so I'm definitely coming in here hungry and I'm just happy I was able to put on a good show for you guys."
Tiafoe, the No.2 seed, will face sixth seeded JJ Wolf in the last eight. Wolf defeated Radu Albot on Wednesday, 6-3, 7-6(5).