Chinese star Jerry Shang breaks home hearts with Hong Kong Open victory over Coleman Wong
Teenager books second-round date with Pedro Martinez, while Nishikori eases through to Khachanov clash
Teenage Chinese star Jerry Shang Juncheng broke home hearts after beating local favourite Coleman Wong Chak-lam in a gripping Bank of China Hong Kong Open first-round clash on Tuesday.
Under the lights at a rapt Victoria Park Tennis Centre, Hongkonger Wong fought furiously to stay alive in the opening set before losing it on a tiebreak. World No 50 Shang gained a decisive break early in the second and clinched victory 7-6, 6-4 to stay on course for a quarter-final meeting with defending champion Andrey Rublev.
The 20-year-old Wong, who was chasing his first victory over a top-50 opponent, showed glimpses he could cut it at the top, utilising a killer serve that scored him 17 aces in a match lasting one hour and 29 minutes.
Wong, ranked 170 in the world, was roared on by the home crowd in the first set when he courageously dug in to prevent Shang from taking a 4-2 lead. The Hongkonger fended off his 19-year-old counterpart by hitting five aces in a game that had six deuces and saw Wong rescue four break points.
Shang won the tiebreak 7-3 after achieving a pivotal mini break at 3-3.
“It was a great match from both of us and we pushed each other,” Wong said.
