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Young Hong Kong team lose tight Davis Cup clash to Ecuador despite Coleman Wong victory

Hong Kong must battle for their World Group II status next year following loss to South Americans at Victoria Park

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Roger Ng Ki-lung was unable to deliver victory in the decisive rubber at Victoria Park. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong’s young bucks succumbed to a more experienced Ecuador 3-2 in their topsy-turvy Davis Cup tie at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium on Sunday.

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There was some joy for home fans when Coleman Wong Chak-lam served more notice of his potential with a clinical 6-4, 6-2 dismissal of Andres Andrade.

The 20-year-old’s singles triumph was sandwiched, however, by a straight sets doubles defeat for the Hong Kong team of Wong and Kevin Wong Chun-hun, and a 6-1, 6-3, victory for 35-year-old Ecuadorian Gonzalo Escobar over Roger Ng Ki-lung.

Ng acknowledged he was affected by nerves in the biggest match of his career, 16 years after working as a ball boy for a Hong Kong Davis Cup tie.

The teams began the day level at 1-1, after Coleman Wong’s singles win on Saturday had cancelled out a loss for 15-year-old Jack Cheng.

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Ng, 23, waited all weekend for game time, and the world No 2,102 was caught cold, as Escobar, who had united with Diego Hidalgo for Ecuador’s earlier doubles success, raced into a 5-0 first-set lead.

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