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.

PARIS (AP) — Their legs don’t move as fast on the red clay. They recover more slowly. But the French public still loves them just as much.

Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils have been involved in some of the most memorable matches in recent Roland Garros history. The two veterans are back at the French Open for a final dance at the Grand Slam tournament after announcing they will retire at the end of the season.

Both players have slipped down the rankings. A three-time Grand Slam champion, the 41-year-old Wawrinka won the title in 2015 and is now ranked No. 119. Aged 39, Monfils reached the semifinals in Paris in 2008 and made it to the quarterfinals on three other occasions. He is No. 221 and has received a wild card to play in Paris.

Renowned for his spectacular style of play, fighting spirit and remarkable physical ability, Monfils is a crowd favorite at his home Grand Slam tournament, where, like Wawrinka, he debuted more than 20 years ago. “La Monf” has rarely disappointed his Paris fans, even if he's never matched the feat of Yannick Noah, the last Frenchman to win Roland Garros — in 1983.

Not only the fans love Monfils.

“I don’t know anyone that really doesn’t like Gael,” 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic said on Friday. “One of my favorite players to watch. Incredible athleticism. I’m looking forward seeing him perform his last Roland Garros here.”

Since 2005, Monfils has amassed a 40-17 record at the clay-court tournament, which starts Sunday. He faces compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round

Three years ago, he arrived in Roland Garros coming back from heel surgery, ranked No. 394 and without a Grand Slam match win in more than a year. He battled Sebastian Baez for nearly four hours on Court Philippe Chatrier before beating the Argentine in an epic first-round match.

The script was even more dramatic last year when he recovered from two-sets-to-love down against Hugo Dellien to become the player with the most five-set match victories on the clay courts of Roland Garros (12) in the Open era.

“I was not strong enough to win a Grand Slam” Monfils told his fans during a tribute at Roland Garros this week. “But I perhaps won more. I won a career that I’m proud of.”

Ukrainian player Elena Svitolina, who married Monfils in 2021, expects her husband to relish his final outing at Roland Garros.

“For him having a French crowd is something that he always dreamed when he was a little kid to play the big matches, to play together,” Svitolina said. “They carry you through the matches. I think for the past years he experienced something amazing. He always remembers that. For him will be a lot of nerves, but I think he already settled (a) little bit down with it. Just going to enjoy and give it his best shot, the last one.”

Wawrinka, nicknamed “Stan the Man,” appeals to the French crowd in many ways. His down-to-earth, no-holds-barred way of speaking immediately resonates with the Parisian public — his native tongue is French — while his immaculate one-handed backhand still captivates the game’s purists.

“I grew up on clay, grew up watching clay-court specialists, I grew up watching Roland Garros dreaming about maybe playing one day. It is part of me,” Wawrinka said in an interview with French Open organizers.

Wawrinka is set for his 21st appearance at Roland Garros. He faces rising French star Arthur Fils, the 17th seed, in the first round.

Wawrinka's stunning 2015 run, when he defeated Djokovic in the final after downing Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, is fondly remembered by tennis aficionados.

“Actually, I didn’t arrive that year confident, entering matches knowing I could win,” said Wawrinka, the former world No. 3 who also reached the final in 2017. “On the court, I just stayed in the moment and found my best tennis. It couldn’t have been more special, especially with that level of play against Novak.”

His fans also did not forget the pink-checkered shorts he wore that year.

“It’s just like everybody talk about that shorts,” Wawrinka said after his win. “I quite like them. Apparently I’m the only one. They will be in the museum of Roland Garros. You will see my shorts every day if you want.”

Whether the (in)famous shorts make one final appearance on court this year remains to be seen.

“One needs to ask the museum, I'm not sure if they need to be cleaned beforehand,” Wawrinka joked during his pre-tournament press conference. “I had not planned that, I'll think about it before Monday.”

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

Stan Wawrinka, from Switzerland, returns a ball to Alex Michelsen, of the United States, during a round of 16 match at the Geneva Open tennis tournament in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)

FILE - Gael Monfils of France plays a forehand return to Dane Sweeny of Australia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland serves a ball during a training session at the ATP 250 Geneva Open tournament, in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)