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Paul McNamara

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.
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.
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.

Ng got on the board after 34 minutes, but a backhand into the net gifted the following game, and the set, to Escobar.
The paying punters who began drifting for the exits when Escobar broke for 2-1 in the second set missed Ng securing an immediate break back. Those that remained were leaping to their feet after the Hongkonger outlasted Escobar in a fabulous rally to begin the next game.
“I felt a lot of support from the crowd, but I was also nervous, because I’m not used to playing with so many people watching,” Ng said. “There was pressure for me on the big stage, it was my first time playing an important Davis Cup tie.”
Escobar regained his composure to break for 3-2. The South American held for 5-3 to subdue the local support, before wrapping up the tie with his fifth break of the Ng serve.

“I got the break and was in the match … but I wasn’t 100 per cent and my opponent played well,” added Ng, who coughed up four double faults and won only 47 per cent of his service points.
“It was a very important experience for me, I was a ball kid for the Davis Cup in 2008, watching our captain [Yu Hiu-tung], so this was amazing.”
Coleman Wong and Kevin Wong lost a first-set tiebreak to Escobar and Hidalgo, before the Ecuadorians secured the only break of the match in the following set to triumph 7-6, 6-4.
Wong then handsomely beat Andrade to keep the tie alive. Andrade had anticipated a “war” with Hong Kong’s world No 137, but the 250-ranked 25-year-old showed up unarmed for the barrage of clean hitting Wong directed his way.
The home player served nine aces and was accurate with 78 per cent of his first serves. Andrade went long from the baseline to hand Wong his first break for 4-3.
“It meant a lot for me to win … it was always my dream to play in front of a Hong Kong crowd at Victoria Park, but it is not easy [because of pressure],” Wong said.
“I felt the support from my friends and family, though. This will help me a lot [for future events] and hopefully I can come back and do well in the ATP [250] event here [in December].”
Wong promised he would “cheer as much as possible” during Ng’s deciding encounter. For a Hong Kong team boasting an average age of 20.8, however, the third youngest in their history, the weekend ended in a defeat that condemns them to a World Group II play-off next year.


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ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

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

Coleman Wong salutes his supporters following a straight sets victory over Andres Andrade. Photo: Edmond So

Ng shakes the hand of Gonzalo Escobar after fighting gamely during his 6-1, 6-3 loss. Photo: Edmond So

Li Na, China’s only grand slam winner, is tournament director of October’s Hong Kong Open to be held at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium. Photo: SCMP/Sun Yeung

China’s Zhang Zhizhen is ranked 31st in the world, and is joined in the top 100 by Shang Juncheng. Photo: EPA-EFE

British No 1 Katie Boulter says she is looking forward to coming to Hong Kong for the first time. Photo: AP

Coleman Wong celebrates winning a point during his Davis Cup match against Ecuador’s Marcos Lee at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium. Photo: Dickson Lee

Ecuador’s Marcos Lee hits a return during his match against Coleman Wong. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong teenager Jack Cheng in action against Ecuador’s Andres Andrade. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong crashes out in semi-finals of ATP Challenger in Shanghai

Fourth seed Coleman Wong had 27 aces across his three previous wins but managed only five in the semi-final. Photo: HKCTA

Coleman Wong’s four career Challenger final appearances have all ended in defeat. Photo: HKCTA

Wimbledon history-maker Coleman Wong wants to inspire Hongkongers to choose tennis careers

Coleman Wong was in upbeat mood after playing in Wimbledon qualifying. Photo: AFP

Wong has climbed 305 places in the world rankings over the past eight months. Photo: AFP

Coleman Wong is aiming to help boost tennis’ profile in Hong Kong. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Sport

Tennis

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


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


Davis Cup