Wu, 23, saved four match points before defeating 16-time title winner American Isner 6-7(4-7) 7-6(7-3) 7-6(14-12). Within just three hours.
Prior to reaching the final, no Chinese man had ever reached a tour-level final or beaten a top-10 opponent in the professional era.
Defeating world number eight and top seed Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals, the Hangzhou native had already made his mark in the history books by achieving both these feats.
And he continued to set records on Monday when he rose to world No. 58 in the rankings, making him the highest-ranked Chinese player in ATP history.
“I have made history here for my country and my home,” Wu said at the trophy ceremony. “I’m very proud of myself and especially thankful to all the fans and my team who have been here to support. I couldn’t have done it without any of you.”
Isner scored an amazing 44 aces in the match that lasted for two hours and 59 minutes.
In the final tiebreak, 22 consecutive points went on serve before Wu forced Isner to hit a forehand long.
“I don’t know how many match points I had, I’m sure it’s a lot,” Isner said. “I swear I thought I won the match so many times… Sports can be brutal.
“He is an unbelievable bowler and a great talent.”
Prior to this week, Wu – who was sidelined on tour from March 2019 to January 2022 due to injuries – had won just six tour-level matches.
In Dallas, he beat a string of high-caliber players in Michael Momoh, Denis Shapovalov, Adrian Mannarino, Fritz and Isner.
