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Paul McNamara

Hong Kong’s leading tennis hope Coleman Wong Chak-lam has ranked his latest upset of a top-50 opponent alongside the best victories of his short career.
Wong made his mark at another ATP 1000 Masters event when he stormed into the second round of the Cincinnati Open, taking the scalp of world No 42 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard by a comprehensive 6-3, 6-2 margin on Thursday local time.
The 21-year-old Wong, who now stands 177th in the world, had come through the qualifying rounds in confident mood, without dropping a set.
He duly proceeded to brush aside France’s Perricard in what was his third ATP 1000 main-draw victory since joining the men’s tour.

His latest landmark success has set him up for a second-round meeting with another Frenchman, Ugo Humbert.
Wong said afterwards that seeing off Perricard had “felt just as great” as his win at this year’s Miami Open over Ben Shelton of the United States, who was ranked 14th at the time but is now up to No 6 in the world.
Inroads made at ATP 1000 level are significant for the Hongkonger. The nine ATP 1000 events held around the world each year are beneath only the four grand-slam tournaments and the season-ending ATP Tour finals event in terms of prestige and importance.
“Being able to perform at a high level at these big events is what excites me and gives me the most satisfaction,” Wong said.
“I hope there will now be more people supporting Hong Kong tennis, and me.”
After making his way past Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki and Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina in the qualifying stages, Wong’s third straight victory ensured he continued his return to form following a recent lean patch.
Wong was eliminated in the last 16 of last month’s World University Games in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region in Germany. That exit came after Wong had failed to reach the main draw in his previous three events.
However, there have been encouraging signs of progress in Cincinnati for Hong Kong’s highest-ranked player. He broke the big-hitting Perricard’s serve on three occasions, and struck six aces as well as 21 winners during their 55 minutes on court.
“His serve is incredible, it’s the hardest and fastest I’ve faced,” Wong said. “Winning on such a fast surface is never easy. I’m really happy to get through and excited about the next round.”
The Cincinnati Open’s host venue, the Lindner Family Tennis Centre, was given a US$260 million renovation in advance of this year’s tournament, which is the last major stopping point for the players before the year’s final grand-slam event, the US Open, begins on August 24.
A further victory for Wong would see him equal his exploits at the Miami Masters in March, when he reached the third round after downing Shelton, now the newly crowned Canadian Open champion.
For Wong to reach round three again, he will have to see off an opponent, in Humbert, who reached an ATP 1000 final at last year’s Paris Masters, and is currently ranked No 25 in the world.
The first meeting between the pair is set to happen late on Saturday local time.
“I really enjoy the new facilities here and I want to keep going,” Wong said. “This is a big thing for me and for Hong Kong.”


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Coleman Wong Chak-lam

Cincinnati Open: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong ranks latest milestone victory among his best

Coleman Wong in focused mood during his win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Photo: HKCTA

Wong in action at the Miami Open, where he earned his first ATP Masters 1000 win. Photo: Imagn Images

World Cup winner Juan Mata’s advice for Hong Kong champions’ Australian striking recruit

James Temelkovski in pre-season action for Tai Po against Southern, following his arrival from Australia.

Juan Mata with the World Cup trophy after Spain’s victory in 2010. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong new boy Neil Robertson backs city to host World Snooker Championship

Neil Robertson celebrates winning the World Grand Prix at Kai Tak Arena in March. Photo: Dickson Lee

Australian Robertson holds court at the launch of the Hong Kong Billiard Sport Academy. Photo: Jonathan Wong

World No 1 Judd Trump shows his skills at the academy he co-founded with Robertson. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Sport

Tennis

The Hongkonger will face France’s Ugo Humbert next after stunning upset of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard


The Hongkonger will face France’s Ugo Humbert next after stunning upset of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.


ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Cincinnati Open: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong ranks latest milestone victory among his best

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Hongkonger will face France’s Ugo Humbert next after stunning upset of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

The Hongkonger will face France’s Ugo Humbert next after stunning upset of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard