China serves up more surprises

This year's US Open has turned into a happy hunting ground for Chinese aces, with three more victories on Wednesday highlighting the benefits of more professional talent cultivation.

Both former junior winners in New York, Wang Xiyu and Wu Yibing handled the big expectations on their young shoulders to advance to the third round－extending their record runs at a major tournament. Veteran Zhang Shuai's triumph completed another great day for Chinese tennis in New York.

Wang, the winner of the US Open girls' title in 2018, has finally broken out on the pro stage after flying under the radar for years. The 21-year-old upset world No 3 Maria Sakkari, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, in a barnstorming battle to secure her first career win against a top-10 player and her first third-round appearance at a major.

Wang, a native of Jiangsu province developed at Beijing's 1123 Junior Tennis Academy, clearly relished her return to Louis Armstrong Stadium, the scene of her junior triumph four years ago.

"This feels like a lucky place for me. It's a blast from the past and the memories are so sweet. However, I have to focus on the present and just play tennis to the best of my ability and don't think too much," said Wang, who will next face American Alison Riske-Amritraj, the 29th seed, in the last 32.

Since April, Wang's 29-13 win-loss record has seen her climb from No 150 to her present career-high ranking of 75.During that period, she's reached four finals－three at International Tennis Federation events and one at a WTA 125 tourney in Valencia, Spain－before a semifinal run in Washington and a quarterfinal in Granby, Canada over the past month.

A left-handed power hitter, Wang's forehand turned out to be her biggest weapon on Wednesday, accounting for 26 of her 35 winners. Her pattern of attack usually involved a heavy crosscourt shot, to open up the angle, followed by a searing down-the-line winner.

With the momentum shifting back and forth in the first two sets, Wang's greater control of her power and aggression ultimately proved the difference as two consecutive winners earned her match point in the 12th game of the decider. The Greek third seed, last year's semifinalist, then sent a backhand wide to end the contest after 2 hours and 44 minutes.

Shining new breed

Wang's progress on the pro stage highlights the shifting focus of youth training in China.

Nowadays, more young talents are opting to sign with professional clubs, such as the 1123 academy, and international agencies, training and playing overseas supported by foreign coaches, fitness trainers and physiotherapists.

Yi Ping, a former player who founded the 1123 academy in 2010 and has been supporting Wang since her junior days, is confident her program, which is different from the traditional State-run system based on provincial teams, can deliver China more major champions like retired two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na.

Following a similar route to the pro ranks, rising star Wu, an IMG-signed athlete, continued his history-making run in the men's draw on Wednesday after outlasting fellow qualifier Nuno Borges of Portugal in a five-set thriller. Wu, ranked 174th, will next face defending champion and world No 1 Daniil Medvedev in a David vs Goliath showdown on Friday.

Wu, the winner of the 2017 boys' tournament, proved his resilience on the major stage by recovering from two sets to one down to close out 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4),4-6, 6-4, 6-4, in nearly four hours. Wu becomes the first Chinese mainland player to reach the third round of the men's singles at the US Open.

"I think there's more to come. I feel like I'm at the level to play in Grand Slams. Hopefully I stay healthy and keep playing more Grand Slams," said the 22-year-old, whose fledgling career was hampered by a series of injuries for almost two years following his 2017 junior success.

"I think if there is a first time, there is going to be a second time, a third time. I'm happy that I'm the first guy to make this piece of history.

"But, more importantly, this brings hope to all the Chinese fans and kids so we can have more great players in our country, which I think we should have had a long time ago."

Wu's meteoric rise up the rankings－from No 1,869 in March to now likely breaking into the top 150－has boosted his confidence that he can cut it against sometimes more strongly built Western rivals.

"Whenever I play on the international stage, I feel, 'Oh, this is something I'm good at'－not only in our country but also international-wise," said Wu.

Wu is now relishing his biggest test yet in defending champ Medvedev.

"There's no time to celebrate. I have a tough opponent in the next round. I am really looking forward to measuring myself against a top opponent like him," Wu said of the Russian.

Proud veteran

Earlier at Court 5, there was more joy for China when top-ranked women's ace Zhang Shuai (No 36) defeated Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, 7-5, 6-1. She will next face Rebecca Marino of Canada as she bids to reach the last 16 at Flushing Meadows for the first time.

Zhang, who won last year's doubles tournament playing alongside Australia's Samantha Stosur, said she felt proud to witness the rise of a new generation of Chinese players on the world stage.

"I am extremely happy to see so many young players, not only girls but also the men, make new breakthroughs," said Zhang, a 33-year-old who made her main-draw debut at a WTA Tour-level event in 2006 in Guangzhou.

"About 15 years ago when I had just turned pro, we had a senior group of star players who passed on a lot of experience to me," Zhang said of the so-called "Golden Flowers" led by two-time major winner Li Na (2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open).

"To be part of the development of the younger generation makes me feel proud of the game's growth in our country and happy for everyone who's helped to make this happen," said Zhang.

"It's all been worth it."