BEIJING — Chinese tennis sensation Bu Yunchaokete delivered a stunning performance on home soil, defeating world No. 6 Andrey Rublev in straight sets at the China Open on Monday. The 22-year-old's 7-5, 6-4 victory marks the biggest win of his burgeoning career, propelling him into his first ATP 500 semifinal.
Bu, who has been making waves throughout the tournament, achieved his first career victory over a top 20 player by beating Lorenzo Musetti in the previous round. Facing Rublev, he showcased remarkable poise and skill, thrilling the home crowd with a forehand winner down the line to clinch the opening set.
The Chinese player maintained his momentum in the second set, surging to a 5-3 lead. Although Rublev narrowed the gap and faced a break point at 5-4, Bu remained unshaken, saving it with an emphatic overhead smash. He sealed the match with an ace, igniting cheers from more than 10,000 fans in attendance.
"I defeated a top 20 player in the second round, and this time I beat a top 10 player," Bu said after the match. "Now I have reached the semifinals, and I know the level of my opponent will be like world number one or number two. Of course, I feel very excited. It was really crazy that more than 10,000 fans came to support me, so there was no excuse not to fight hard. I quite enjoyed the match."
Bu is set to face top-seeded Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, a challenge he eagerly anticipates. "I think the next match will be the same because it is the National Day holiday, and many fans will come to watch," he added. "I really appreciate their support."
Bu's historic run at the China Open has captivated tennis enthusiasts and signaled the rise of a new talent in the sport. With his fearless play and hometown backing, he is just two matches away from claiming his first ATP Tour title.
Reference(s):
China Open: Bu Yunchaokete advances, Alcaraz to face Medvedev
cgtn.com
