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Local star Coleman Wong Chak-lam delighted home fans at Victoria Park's Centre Court on Tuesday, defeating Argentina's Mariano Navone 6-3, 7-5 in 1 hour 41 minutes to advance to the men's singles round of 16 at the Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026.
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Despite the weekday match, strong crowd support filled the stands, with cheers ringing out and singer Eason Chan attending for the second straight day.
Ranked 150th, Wong leveled at 3-3 in the first set before surging with aggressive play to take it 6-3. The second set intensified, with breaks traded to 4-4. Navone edged ahead 5-4, but Wong broke back decisively and held to love for 7-5, earning roaring applause.
Tomorrow, Wong faces doubles partner Gabriel Diallo in an intriguing last-16 clash for a quarter-final spot.
Post-match, Wong thanked the enthusiastic crowd repeatedly, noting the pressure of playing at home but praising his composure.
He appreciated the earlier daytime start compared to previous years, suiting his preference for warmer conditions over cold evenings.
The near-full venue despite office hours left him thrilled with the turnout.
