Wu discovers net gains begin to pay off

Long-awaited rise

As recently as April last year, Wu was tied for world No 1,869 at the lowest spot in his career following a series of injuries that had sidelined him from international play for almost three years from 2019-21.

With his conditioning much improved as well as his hitting style, Wu has enjoyed a meteoric rise since the beginning of last spring, winning three Challenger titles in less than a two-month span before surprisingly storming into the third round of the US Open to mark his biggest major breakthrough up to date.

Now, as arguably the most intriguing prospect to watch on the tour, Wu keeps his skyrocketing rise in perspective as he pushes for more progress to fulfill his potential.

"I am thankful to all these injuries and setbacks over the years because it's given me a different personal experience," he explained.

"I would say the most important thing I learned is just to accept the things that have happened and to accept winning or losing. And this makes you a better person.

"I became more mature. Because of this I think I play better tennis and also enjoy the game more."

Wu will next play either Australia's Jordan Thompson or Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, who will match up in another round of 16 clash, in the quarterfinal on Friday. Should the Chinese player continue advancing, he will draw near the world top 80 next week.

On the women's professional circuit, China's world No 29 player Zheng Qinwen reached her first quarterfinal in the 2023 season at the Abu Dhabi Open on Wednesday with a 7-6 (10), 6-1 upset of No 5 seed Jelena Ostapenko.

Firing 10 aces to contribute to her 28 winners to Ostapenko's 20, Zheng defeated the 2017 French Open champion a second time after her three-set opening-round victory over the Latvian at last year's US Open.

It was the 20-year-old Chinese star's third quarterfinal at the WTA 500 level or above in the past seven months, following Toronto in August and a maiden tour final in Tokyo in September.

"Whoever stands across the net it doesn't matter as long as I did my best," said Zheng. "I will just always focus on my own performance to try to bring my A-game every time I step on the court."