Former US Open Boys’ Champ Wu Earns Win In Qualifying Debut

China’s Wu Yibing translated his red-hot form on the ATP Challenger Tour into a debut victory in Grand Slam qualifying on Tuesday at the US Open. 

The 2017 US Open boys’ singles champ and former junior World No. 1 earned a 6-4, 6-3 win against 18th seed Ricardas Berankis to move within two victories of his maiden main-draw appearance at a major. 

The 22-year-old was an efficient three of four on break point opportunities while saving six of seven break points against him in the match. He will next face Italy’s Stefano Travaglia, a 6-3, 6-4 winner against Michael Geerts.

Travaglia was one of seven Italian men to advance on Day 1 of the US Open Qualifying Tournament, led by 10th seed Franco Agamenone. The 29-year-old Agamenone hit seven aces in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win against Argentina’s Francisco Comesana.

Fourth seed Camilo Ugo Carabelli lost 7-5, 6-3 to Turkey’s Altug Celikbilek, while fifth seed Juan Pablo Varillas was upset 6-2, 6-2 by France’s Gregoire Barrere.

Five Americans advanced, including Bjorn Fratangelo, Christopher Eubanks, Brandon Holt, Zachary Svajda and Ethan Quinn. Both Fratangelo and Holt secured victory in a third-set tie-break, with Fratangelo edging Argentina’s Juan Bautista Torres 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(10-4) and Holt downing France’s Alexandre Muller 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(10-5).