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Lars Hamer

Coleman Wong Chak-lam said he needed to be stronger if he was going to compete with the world’s best tennis players.
Speaking after his historic run at the Miami Open ended on Monday, following a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 third-round loss to Australian Adam Walton, Wong said he was disappointed with the defeat but proud of the progress he made.
The 20-year-old became the first Hongkonger to win an ATP Masters 1000 tournament match when he beat Daniel Altmaier on Thursday, then stunned the tennis world by knocking out world No 14 Ben Shelton in the second round two days later.
“I’ve learned that I have to be psychically better, because this is very new for me, it’s my first time doing these tough matches [at a Masters 1000 level] and then doing another in two days,” Wong said.
“I need to be stronger, physically, to be ready, because I don’t have much experience [at this level]. After this week, I feel better. I feel like I can compete with the top guys.”
Despite the loss, Wong said it had been a “special week” and he had not expected to win the first two rounds.
“I’m disappointed [with losing] but at the same time, I need to give credit to myself,” he said.
Walton had actually been knocked out of the tournament following a 6-3, 6-4 loss to compatriot Tristan Schoolkate in the qualifying rounds. He was recalled to the competition as a “lucky loser” – when a main draw withdrawal is replaced by the highest-ranked player to lose in qualifying.
“I’m very happy right now, I shouldn’t even be here, it’s just very good fortune this week,” Walton said. “I got thrashed in qualifying and got the call three days later to play again, it almost feels like a new start, a new tournament, I’m just happy to be through to the last 16.”

Wong and Walton were both fighting for a first fourth-round appearance at a Masters 1000 event, and they battled it out for two hours and 18 minutes on Court One at the Hard Rock Stadium.
The match was a tight affair, with Wong breaking serve late in the first set to go up 5-4, only for Walton to fight back immediately and bring the scores level before winning the first set tiebreak 8-6.
The match seemed to be slipping away from Wong early in the second set. The 20-year-old was too eager when coming to the net on two occasions, allowing his 25-year-old opponent the opportunity to hit easy passing shots. Wong blew a 40-15 lead in the first game to allow Walton to break.
But Wong, the world No 182, clawed his way back into the match, converting breakpoint at the fourth time of asking to level the set at 3-3.
Wong, who could rise to 167th in the world when the rankings update on Monday, then stopped Walton from converting a crucial breakpoint at 4-4 that would have seen the Australian serving for the match.
But Wong secured the crucial second breakpoint, forcing the match into a third and final set.
With a 4-3 lead in the final set, Wong called for a doctor to massage his right thigh and could be heard discussing how best to treat the pain.
Walton broke serve shortly after to lead 5-4 and served for the game. He will face world No 3 Taylor Fritz in the fourth round on Tuesday in Miami.
After the match, Wong said he was still undecided where he would compete next. The plan had originally been to return to Asia, but was now considering Europe, where he said the level was a little higher.


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ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Miami Open: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong hails ‘special week’, says he needs to be stronger

Coleman Wong’s historic run at the Miami Open was ended by Adam Walton on Monday. Photo: Getty Images

Adam Walton fires down a serve against Coleman Wong. Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal ‘very proud’ of Coleman Wong after Hongkonger stuns Ben Shelton at Miami Open

An emotional Coleman Wong celebrates after beating Ben Shelton at the Miami Open. Photo: Getty Images

Coleman Wong becomes first Hong Kong tennis player to win ATP Masters 1000 tournament match

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong looked comfortable against his German opponent, his coach James Allemby says. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Sport

Hong Kong

Tennis

Hongkonger has historic run ended by Australian Adam Walton, says he needs to ‘give credit to myself’ for performance


Hongkonger has historic run ended by Australian Adam Walton, says he needs to ‘give credit to myself’ for performance.


Coleman Wong Chak-lam