Hometown Hero Wu Yibing Shocks Daniil Medvedev in Hangzhou Quarterfinal Thriller | ATP Journey
Hangzhou
Hometown Hero Wu Stuns Medvedev in Hangzhou QF Thriller
Royer, Moutet puts the league’s semi-finals at China ATP 250
September 21, 2025
Hangzhou opens
Wu Yibing has entered his first ATP Tour semifinals since 2023.
By ATP staff
Wu Yibing called an evening at the Lynk & Co Hangzhou Open on Sunday, where he fought back from the edge, fighting from the edge to Stun Daniil Medvedev 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4.
The Hangzhou native was behind a game and resting in one game, then he returned to the game and hit some relaxing balls in the finals, becoming his first semi-final since the 2023 run in Dallas, where he became the first Chinese man to win the ATP Tour title. He waits for lucky loser Dalibor Svrcina or third seed Alexander Bublik.
Despite hitting 17 ACEs in a three-hour 11-minute clash, Medvedev encountered two crucial double breakdowns when he tried to beat the game 5-4 in the second set and provided Wu with a way back to the game. The former Nitto ATP Finals champion was in his first game since splitting away from eight-year coach Gilles Cervara, who ranked 22nd in the PIF ATP live match.
“I was a little lucky in the second set, but I did my best,” Wu said. “Obviously, the crowd supported me like home. Daniel was one of the toughest people on the tour, especially my style. He was really hard to beat and I had to take my best tennis balls to the game. I’m so glad I brought the game today.”
Wu from March 2019 to January 2022, due to several injuries, including his elbow problems, his elbow surgery, lower back, shoulders and wrists. Although he won the ATP Challenger Tour at Taylor in June, the 25-year-old is playing in the fourth tour of the season.
“It means everything, especially at home. It’s been a few years behind. I’ve overcome a lot of injuries,” Wu said. “It’s not easy to be here, especially winning three games in a row. Hopefully I’ll be back tomorrow and feel less tired.”
In other quarterfinals in Hangzhou, Valentin Royer beat his claims against top seed Andrey Rublev by 7-6 (0), 4-6, 6-2 to reach his debut ATP Tour semifinal. According to Infosys ATP statistics, the 24-year-old Frenchman was behind in the breakout in the final game and converted his three breakout points into his three breakout points to make up for his two-hour, 38-minute victory.
“I’m so glad…the crowd is with me. You guys like me, I like you, we’re in touch,” Royer said in his on-field interview, and then thanked the Chinese for their support. “He didn’t miss a ball in the second set, and in the third set I fell down again…I just don’t know how I won, I’m so glad.”
Royer never won consecutive Tour victories before his debut in Hangzhou. However, he performed well in three major painting competitions, and he ranked 83rd in the PIF ATP live rankings.
Royer played the all-league semifinal with fourth seed Corentin Moutet, who advanced on Sunday lunchtime after Tomas Martin Etcheverry was forced to retire. Moutet lost the opening 3-6 but led 3-0 for the second time when the Argentinian (obviously struggling) retired.
Like Royer, Moutet is another player to win a career-high game in the PIF ATP rankings this week. The 26-year-old saved two matches in a second round defeat of Arthur Cazaux, who reached the season’s personal best season three semifinal and raised the two titles to 37 in the PIF ATP live rankings.
