Wu Yibing became the first Chinese player to win an event on the ATP Tour in Dallas ©Getty Images

Wu Yibing has become the first Chinese player to win an event on the men's Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour with his victory over American home favourite John Isner at the Dallas Open.

The 23-year-old rose from 97th to 58th in the world with a dramatic 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 victory against world number 37 Isner at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex.

Wu saved four match points against the big server, including one at 6-5 in the second set and three in the deciding tiebreak which finished 14-12.

He had started the ATP Tour 250 event with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory against the United States' Michael Mmoh, and followed it with an impressive 7-6, 6-4 win against Canada's third seed Denis Shapovalov.

A 6-4, 6-3 victory against France's Adrian Mannarino sent Wu into the semi-finals, where he became the first Chinese player to beat a top-10 opponent in men's tennis with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 win against American Taylor Fritz.

Wu then achieved a historic victory against Isner, and acknowledged the importance of his achievement.

"I made history here for my country and for my home," he said.

"I’m very proud of myself and especially thanks to all the fans and my team who came here to support.

"I couldn’t do this without any of you guys."

Wu did not compete on the ATP Tour from March 2019 to January 2022 because of injuries, but became the first male Chinese player to reach the US Open third-round last year at his maiden Grand Slam, losing to top seed Daniil Medvedev, a Russian player competing as a neutral.

He received a wildcard into the Australian Open last month, losing 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in five sets to France's Corentin Moutet.

Wu had won three ATP Challenger events in June and July last year.

China's players have enjoyed more success on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour, with three in the top 50 of the singles rankings in Zhang Shuai, Zheng Qinwen and Zhu Lin.

Li Na was the country's first singles Grand Slam winner at the French Open in 2011, and added an Australian Open title in 2014.

China was a regular stop on the ATP and WTA Tours prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and related strict measures on international travel.

China's success on the WTA Tour, including two Grand Slams for Li Na, has not been matched on the men's professional circuit ©Getty Images
China's success on the WTA Tour, including two Grand Slams for Li Na, has not been matched on the men's professional circuit ©Getty Images

The ATP Tour plans to return to China this year, although a similar move from the WTA remains uncertain because of its stance taken in response to concerns over the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai.

Peng alleged in November 2021 that Zhang Gaoli, a former senior vice-premier and high-ranking member of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, had sexually assaulted her 10 years earlier, before the Weibo post was deleted within 20 minutes.

There was global concern when Peng was reportedly not seen for more than two weeks.

The WTA threatened to pull all of its events for the following year from China because of concerns over the safety of Peng, and chief executive Steve Simon said in April 2022 that its stance would not change until a resolution is found regarding the former world number 14.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was pictured on a number of occasions with Peng at last year's Winter Olympics in Beijing, but concerns for her safety have continued and protesters are critical of the relationship between tennis' professional tours and China.