French Open qualifying: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong falls at first hurdle, but hails ‘great experience’ at Roland Garros
- Wong lost in straight sets to American Patrick Kypson in the first round of qualifying for the main draw
- The 19-year-old Hongkonger slipped to a 7-5, 6-2 defeat in little more than 90 minutes on Court 10
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Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s bid to play in the main draw of a grand slam ended at the first hurdle on Tuesday, as he went down in straight sets in the first round of qualifying at the French Open.
Playing in the second match of the day on Court 10, the Hongkonger lost 7-5, 6-2 to Patrick Kypson of the United States, who is ranked 30 places higher, in little more than 90 minutes.
In a first set that went with serve until the eighth game, five aces kept Wong in the fight until his 24-year-old opponent leapt out to a 5-3 lead.
However, a double-fault in the next game got Wong back into the action, and the two-time junior doubles grand slam champion rattled off four points in a row from 40-15 to tie it up at 5-5.
But Kypson, who is ranked 150 in the world, made his greater experience tell, and broke back before sealing the first set after 51 minutes.
The second set was a more straight forward affair, with the American breaking twice to wrap up the match and advance to second round, where he will face compatriot and second seed JJ Wolf.
Wong said his “tough loss” had been a great experience, adding that having the opportunity to get into a grand slam had been something “I’ve dreamed about ever since I was a kid”.
“It’s been some 87 years since a player from my home town last competed in men’s singles at the French Open, so I’m really proud to have earned the chance to represent Hong Kong tennis on this world stage,” Wong added.
“But this is only one match, there’s plenty more work to be done. Now, I know what to expect, and I’m going to continue to work hard, keep improving, and be back even stronger.”
It was a second straight loss against Kypson in a week for the 19-year-old Wong, with the two players meeting for the first time last Monday on an ATP Challenger Tour in Oeiras.
Then, Kypson breezed past Wong 6-3, 6-1 in the round of 32 in Portugal.
