At the Shanghai Masters, 21-year-old Beijing wildcard Yi Zhou secured the biggest win of his career by defeating Italian Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, earning back-to-back ATP main draw victories for the first time cronachedi.it reported.
The Breakthrough at the Shanghai Masters
Ranked world number 277, Yi entered his home tournament carrying severe underdog status. His run in Shanghai began with a tense opening-round victory over Mattia Bellucci, a match in which the young Chinese player saved a match point before prevailing. He followed that result by overcoming Musetti, executing a disciplined game plan that saw him save four out of five break points and claim victory across two tie-breaks.
“È la dimostrazione che quello che sto facendo è giusto,” Yi remarked of his milestone performance, reflecting on the validation his recent wins bring to his daily training routine.
Coaching Influence and Playing Style
Behind Yi’s sudden rise is former top-50 professional Davide Sanguinetti, whose guidance has reshaped the player’s tactical approach. Sanguinetti has instilled a proactive brand of tennis focused on taking the initiative early in rallies. Operating from an aggressive baseline stance supplemented by reliable serving and comfortable net approaches, Yi models his game after Roger Federer, prioritizing proactive offense over passive defense.
The partnership with Sanguinetti marks a major turning point for the 21-year-old, who prior to this week had never won consecutive matches at the ATP level. Statistically, his ranking places him among the lowest-ranked players to reach this deep in the tournament’s history.
Transition from Badminton and Managing Type 1 Diabetes
Yi’s path to professional tennis started relatively late compared to many of his peers. He competed seriously in badminton until a decade ago before his family encouraged a switch to tennis to unlock greater travel and educational opportunities abroad. After navigating the ITF circuit, a breakthrough run to the junior semifinals at the 2023 Australian Open validated the transition.
Away from the court, Yi manages Type 1 Diabetes, a daily health challenge he shares with Alexander Zverev. To maintain peak physical condition on tour, Yi’s support team consulted with Zverev’s medical staff regarding specific management strategies. “Abbiamo chiesto ad alcuni dottori di aiutarmi per capire come tenere stabile la mia condizione. Si tratta di avere una dieta e una routine sane,” Yi explained regarding his medical protocols.
Upcoming Match Against Hubert Hurkacz
Advancing to the third round of the Shanghai Masters, Yi prepares to face former tournament champion Hubert Hurkacz. Entering the fixture without fear, the Chinese wildcard aims to extend his run and contribute to the broader development of men’s tennis in China.
Worth a look
