Is the sleeping giant China finally waking up? · tennisnet.com

In recent weeks, some Chinese men have caused a stir. Finally, one is quick to say.

It can of course be assumed that Yibing Wu will be cold-warmed by Carlos Alcaraz in the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai. Just like what happened to Young Shang on Saturday. But there’s no shame in that: Alcaraz has recently started to feel himself in the autumn, at least in his previous appearances at the Laver Cup, the Davis Cup and Beijing and Shanghai.

Yibing Wu, on the other hand, is already a veteran despite his young age – namely in the art of coming back from injuries. That worked quite well in Shanghai with the two wins against Sumit Nadal and Nicolas Jarry.

Shang wins tournament in Chengdu

Basically, it should be noted that in the last few weeks there have been increasing signs that the (men’s) sleeping tennis giant China is about to awaken. The aforementioned Shang, who has already earned the nickname “Jerry” in tennis circles, won his first title on the ATP tour a few days ago in Chengdu. Yunchaokete Bu had to admit defeat to Alex Michelsen right at the start in Shanghai – but that was certainly also due to the hardships involved in reaching the semi-finals in Beijing.

And then there is Zhizhen Zhang. At 27, he is a little older than his sports colleagues Shang (19), Bu (22) and Wu (24), but as number 46 in the world he still holds the top position in China. Following a footballer’s wisdom, it can quickly be said: the Chinese top has become broader.

I’m still in World Group II in the Davis Cup

The fact that this is not yet reflected in the Davis Cup is astonishing. Only Yunchaokete Bu was in action recently, the party lost 2-3 in Romania. In World Group II, mind you. But with combined forces, we might be able to climb into spheres that are appropriate to the current world ranking positions.