“When we were junior players, he killed me within an hour” – Bu to face Sinner in Beijing semis

Yunchaokete Bu is in the midst of his best stretch on the pro tour. The 22-year-old Chinese player reached his first ATP semi-final in Hangzhou last week and broke into the top 100.

On Monday, he reached the semi-finals of the China Open in Beijing after a straight sets win over fourth seed Andrey Rublev. Up next for the 96th-ranked Bu is a showdown against world No 1 Jannik Sinner.

It will be the first meeting for the pair, although Bu did recall a meeting on the junior circuit which Sinner won very convincingly.

Playing the world No. 1 is something I look forward to. He is a leader of this new generation.

Yunchaokete Bu

“Against Jannik Sinner. You’re in the semifinal. What I can do is to enjoy the match. I remember when we were junior players, he killed me within an hour. That’s all I can remember. But now it has been many years later,” Bu said recalling a 6-2, 6-1 loss to the Italian in 2017.

“I really look forward to this match. It’s a night match again. With the experience of tonight, I will do better tomorrow. Of course, my opponent will be stronger tomorrow. Playing the world No. 1 is something I look forward to. He is a leader of this new generation. Of course, many fans will be supporting me. All I need to do is enjoy and perform my best,” Bu said of his clash against Sinner, which takes place on Tuesday.

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