Good News from Coleman Wong Chak-lam and Jerry Shang Juncheng at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open

Hong Kong, China no. 1 Coleman Wong Chak-lam showed off the improvements in his game over the past 12 months with a clinical display against world no. 75 Mariano Navone in the first round of the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open (‘BOCHKTO’) 2026. The 21-year-old maintained his composure and kept the pressure on the Argentine throughout the match to clinch an impressive 6-3, 7-5 victory.

Coleman Wong (Photo by Mike Frey / HKCTA)

Since his last outing at BOCHKTO a year ago, Wong has scored a win over top ten player Ben Shelton, reached the third round of the US Open, and ended the season with a Bronze medal at the 15th National Games Men's Singles. The world no. 150 showed no sign of rust and ruthlessly disposed of the seasoned professional who has been as high as 29th in the world rankings.

Wong said: "I think I did pretty well today in terms of dealing with the nerves. Sometimes, it can be tricky to play in front of a home crowd because there is pressure but I am happy to go through today. Playing in the afternoon means a lot of people are still at work, but there were so many people here supporting me, which means a lot to me.”

Coleman Wong (Photo by Patrick Leung / HKCTA)

Jerry Shang Juncheng, who reached the semifinals at the last two BOCHKTO, sent a strong message to his rivals that he is back playing his best tennis. A foot injury sidelined him for most of last season, but a runner-up finish at the 15th National Games Men's Singles signalled the return of one of the most talented youngsters in world tennis.

Juncheng Shang (Photo by Mike Frey / HKCTA)

On his 6-4, 6-4 win over Francisco Comesana, Shang commented: “I am in the process of returning full time to the tour after injury, and I am very happy to be playing completely injury-free. I played well during this match, but it is very cold today, which I don't particularly enjoy very much. However, everytime I come to Hong Kong, I feel great mentally and physically, and with so many mainland and Hong Kong fans cheering me on, I always feel wonderful playing here, and my game naturally falls into place."

Shang's win means all three wildcards offered this year - Wong, Shang, and Wu Yibing - have all navigated their way through their first round this year.

Juncheng Shang (Photo by Mike Frey / HKCTA)

Defending Champion Alexandre Muller opened proceedings today on Centre Court against Miomir Kecmanovic. The pair met a year ago, with the Frenchman winning in three tight sets on his way to the title. This time, Muller saw off the Serbian in two close sets, 7-5, 6-4.

Alexandre Muller (Photo by Mike Frey / HKCTA)

Pals Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov made their first appearance at BOCHKTO 2026 today when they took on Czechia duo Petr Nouza and Patrik Riki in a doubles first round encounter. Last year's runners up saved one match point in the Super tie-break to come through 6-7 (5), 6-3, (11-9).

Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov (Photo by Patrick Leung / HKCTA)

In an action-packed day tomorrow at Victoria Park Tennis Centre Court, top seed Lorenzo Musetti will open against Tomas Martin Etcheverry who beat Frenchman Valentin Royer 6-4, 7-5. Wong returns for singles in a second round encounter against his doubles partner Gabriel Diallo. The evening session will see a mouth-watering encounter between Rublev and 15th National Games Champion Wu Yibing who impressed in his opening round win over Fabian Marozsan.

The Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 is proud of being an "M" Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia's sports event capital. The "M" Mark status is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee symbolizing intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory sports calendar.

The free-for-all Tournament Village situated next to Centre Court has been packed with fans, tourists, and members of the public who are curious about the sport of tennis. In addition to the tennis themed activities, the purpose-built Pickleball court has been a star attraction at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 with thousands of spectators having tried their hand at one of the world's fastest growing sports.

Amongst those taking to the paddle so far this week included Wu Yibing and his mother as well as other star players like Petr Nouza, Patrick Rikl, Robert Galloway and Hendrik Jebens.

Petr Nouza at pickleball (Photo by {photog} / HKCTA)

Patrik Rikl at pickleball (Photo by {photog} / HKCTA)

Robert Galloway at pickleball (Photo by {photog} / HKCTA)

With total prize money exceeding US$780,000, BOCHKTO 2026 takes place at the iconic Victoria Park Tennis Centre Court from today to 11 January. Tickets are on sale via Ticketflap website with prices ranging from HK$370 to HK$1,610.

For the latest tournament updates, please visit the tournament website at www.hkmenstennisopen.com.

PERTH, Australia (AP) — After a singles loss and social media drama earlier in the week, Coco Gauff did all her talking on court Wednesday in the United Cup quarterfinals.

Gauff won twice — once in singles and then a clinching victory in mixed doubles — to send the Americans into the semifinals in Sydney on Saturday.

Gauff beat Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-2 to give the defending champion United States a 1-0 lead over Greece. Taylor Fritz, affected by knee tendinitis, had a chance in his singles match to clinch the quarterfinal against Stefanos Tsitsipas, but lost 6-4 7-5. That sent the quarterfinal match to a mixed doubles decider.

In that match, Gauff and Christian Harrison beat Tsitsipas and Sakkari 4-6, 6-4, 10-8. It was on track for a runaway in the third-set, 10-point tiebreaker when the Americans led 4-0 and 5-1, but the Greek pair rallied to level it at 6-6. Gauff and Harrison held on for the win.

“I think I was striking the ball well today, and when that happens, my movement on the court is also good,” Gauff said after her singles win. “I usually know it’s going to be a good day.”

On Monday, Gauff dropped a post on social media about a half-hour before she started her singles match, hoping to add context to her recent comments about American tennis fans.

The ensuing match didn’t go well for the No. 4-ranked Gauff, who lost the first five games and struggled in a 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-0 loss to No. 42 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. But Fritz won his singles match against Spain and Gauff and Harrison combined in mixed doubles to clinch top spot in Group A.

In a night quarterfinal at Perth later Wednesday, Switzerland advanced 2-1 over Argentina. Belinda Bencic beat Solana Sierra 6-2, 6-2 before Sebastian Baez leveled the match for Argentina with a 7-5, 6-4 win over retiring veteran Stan Wawrinka.

Bencic and Jakub Paul won the deciding mixed doubles 6-3, 6-3 over Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi, setting up a semifinal showdown for Switzerland against either Belgium or Czech Republic.

At Sydney, Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Świątek were victorious in their singles matches to give Poland a winning 2-0 lead over Netherlands and a place in the quarterfinals from Group F. Poland is expected to play Australia in the quarterfinals.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Iga Swiatek of Poland hots a forehand to Suzan Lamens of Netherlands during their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

FILE - Coco Gauff of the United States plays a forehand to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during a women's singles match of the China Open tennis tournament, in Beijing, on Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A., File)