Asian Games: Coleman Wong says ‘my mind was blank’ during stunning win over Wu

Hong Kong tennis star Coleman Wong Chak-lam said he “wasn’t thinking at all” during his thrilling victory over local favourite world 93 Wu Yibing in the third round of the men’s tennis on Tuesday.

The two-time junior Grand Slam men’s doubles winner saved five match points to outlast Wu 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 in an epic battle that lasted two hours, and 48 minutes in Hangzhou.

Wong recovered from being 6-1 in the final set tie-breaker to stun the home-town hero for the biggest win of his senior career.

“I wasn’t thinking anything at all, my mind was blank,” he said. “Just trying to play one point after another, I was already 6-1 down, never had I come back to win like that before.

“It was a difficult win but I am really happy, [the Games] is a rare opportunity and stage for me to perform.”

But as the players exchanged opening sets the 19-year-old Wong kept his cool and flexed his skills which shone in his serves, as he rocketed 13 aces to Wu’s two.

In the third and final set, Wong and Wu exchanged breaks early as their back-and-forth game finally went into a tie-break.

The Hongkonger drew the first blood to take the lead, only for the Hangzhou-born ace to win six points on a trot.

China’s No 2 player, however, squandered all five match points as Wong reeled off seven straight points to steal the victory.

“I never faced such high ranked player in any competitive match,” Wong said. “I think I played really well, I was calm on the court and just wanted to do my best even though I was down.”

The city’s No 1 player also said the win over Wu served as a boost of confidence going forward in his professional career.

“I watched him play for a few years, he’s someone I have looked up to,” he said.

“Obviously, I’m not there yet but this match made sure I have the ability to [make it]. It’s recognition for me and I believe Hong Kong tennis has what it takes to be good.”

After his triumph, the Hong Kong ace kept momentum going, as he and mixed doubles partner Eudice Chong Wong defeated Macau’s Lau Jamie and Kyle Tang Lok-yin 6-3, 6-0.