Wu Yibing, the Chinese national, has not played a single match in a grass-court tournament since he was a junior tennis player.
However, inexperience on grass-court did not stop the world number 64 from claiming an impressive victory at the 2023 Stuttgart Open, where he managed to beat the physically challenged Nick Kyrgios 7-5 6-3 in the first round. .
“The last time I played on grass-court was in the junior tournament in 2017, so, six seasons ago,” said Wu.
“I feel really excited to play against Nick in the first round. She is one of the best players on grass court and she serves well. He shot aces on multiple occasions. The key for me is to stay calm, stay patient in the game, and find a way. I am happy with this result.”
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The 23-year-old saved one break point in the opening game before breaking Australian Kyrgios in the 12th game and claiming the first set.
As Kyrgios’ movement appeared noticeably more limited, the world number 64 claimed his only chance of a break point in the second set to seal his third win over the top 30.
Wu’s opponent in the second round of the Stuttgart Open was Hungarian national Marton Fucsovics who was able to defeat Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov 3-6 6-3 6-4.
After Gregoire Barrere beat Oscar Otte 6-4 6-3 and Christopher O’Connell edged out Daniel Altmaier 6-3 6-1, Jan Lennard Struff became the last remaining hope for the hosts to reach the second round of the Stuttgart Open.
World number 24 Lennard Struff did not disappoint the home crowd after he snatched a convincing 6-1 6-4 win over Wu compatriot Zhang Zhizhen in just 57 minutes.
Lennard Struff’s next opponent will be fifth seed Tommy Paul who eliminated French tennis player Benjamin Bonzi 6-3 6-4.
Paul is one of three seeds hailing from the US at this week’s Stuttgart Open, along with second seed Taylor Fritz and third seed Frances Tiafoe.
Tiafoe will make his Stuttgart debut when he faces Jiri Lehecka in the second round. while Fritz will meet Aslan Karatsev who drowned French tennis player, Corentin Moutet with tight results 7-6, 6-7, 7-5.
