Wu Yibing gives China a victory at US Open

Wu Yibing became the first male tennis player from the Chinese mainland in 63 years to win a Grand Slam match with his victory at the US Open on Monday.

The 22-year-old qualifier defeated No 31 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3,6-4, 6-0. Among his 31 winners, he blasted nine aces－serves that were in bounds that got past the opponent－against his Georgian opponent at the United States Tennis Association's Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York City.

"I'm happy and excited, but there are still more matches to come," Wu said.

"In the third set, I don't know if he was hurting or something, I just tried to make all the balls and tried to stay in the game, not thinking about winning or losing.

"That's why I guess I didn't show much emotion. I feel pretty calm," he said.

Wu said he was grateful to return to the US Open after 2017.

"I'm happy to be back here playing here in a major event. It's pretty special for me, but I'm just trying to play my tennis and show the people or myself that I still can play," Wu said.

"I'm happy about what I did here. I love the people here, the crowd," Wu said. "Many Chinese people came to support, I love it."

Wu had played his way into the field through the qualifying tournament, joining countryman and fellow qualifier Zhang Zhizhen as the first Chinese men in the US Open main draw since the open era began in 1968.

Wu was almost joined in the second round by Zhang, China's top-ranked player, but the 25-year-old was beaten by Tim van Rijthoven of the Netherlands, who saved seven match points in the third set to seal a 3-6 6-7, 7-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory.

"We are both pushing Chinese men's tennis levels, and we're still young. I think we're going to get to the top 100," Wu added.

Wu, who made it through three qualifying matches, can now walk in the footsteps of China's Fu Chi Mei, who beat Ron Barnes in the first round of the 1959 Wimbledon Championships in England.

Wu entered the US Open in good form, having won two Association of Tennis Professionals Challenger titles back to back. He also has soared in the rankings, moving from 1,869 in March to a career-high 174 now.

He was the world's No 1 junior and clinched the boys' singles and doubles titles at Flushing Meadows in 2017 to become the first Chinese male to win a Grand Slam title of any kind.

Wu next faces Portuguese qualifier Nuno Borges, who defeated American wild card Ben Shelton on Wednesday.

Agencies contributed to this story.