22 Year Old from China defeated 19 year old American Ben Shelton in Straight Sets
22 year old Yibing Wu of China won the singles championship Sunday at Georgia’s Rome Challenger, defeating 19 year old American Ben Shelton 7-5 6-3.
The title is the third at challenger level for Wu, and his second of 2022. The championship match held at Rome Tennis Center at Berry College was the toughest test of the week for Wu, who did not drop a set in route to victory. The tightly contested first set saw each player hold serve until 6-5 in the first, when Wu earned the decisive break. His aggressive, flat groundstrokes proved to be very effective all week on the indoor hard courts. The win earns Wu 80 ATP ranking points and will push up to no. 233 in the ATP World Tour rankings, a career high.
Tournament runner up and 2022 NCAA singles champion Shelton had the best week of his professional career in Rome, and walks away with 54 ATP ranking points and will jump to a new career high of no. 323 in the world.
“Congratulations to champion Yibing Wu and runner up Ben Shelton on a fantastic week,” said Ann Hortman, Director of Rome Sports and co-tournament director. “Both players showed incredible skill and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Hosting this caliber of tennis here in Rome, Georgia is a huge honor and would not be possible without all of our volunteers, ball persons, staff and the support of the local community.”
For full tournament results, photos and more, visit: www.RomeProChallenge.com
About USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $15,000 to $125,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 38 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering more than $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, John Isner, Sloane Stephens, Kei Nishikori, Victoria Azarenka, and Sam Querrey are among today's top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.
About Rome Tennis Center at Berry College
The Rome Tennis Center at Berry College is an award-winning center that hosts local, national, and international tournaments and is the largest contiguous hard-court facility in the country. The 57-court facility is comprised of USTA standard, asphalt tennis courts and includes six NCAA regulation courts, six indoor courts and three center courts for tournament and collegiate play. All courts have lighting and access to shade structures. The terraced design provides ADA accessibility to all courts. The facility hosts daily programming to support and build tennis play locally. Local programs and lessons are offered for all ages and abilities from leisure play to competitive league play.