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.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Jannik Sinner sat out the Miami Open a year ago as he served a three-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.

Now the 24-year-old Italian is on the verge of winning his second Miami Open title in three years and becoming the first male to win the “Sunshine Double’’ since Roger Federer in 2017.

The second-ranked Sinner roared into the Miami Open final with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over No. 4 Alexander Zverev on Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium.

“Coming here and trying to produce some good tennis was my main goal, and standing here again in the final means very much to me,” Sinner said. “It has been an incredible swing and I couldn’t be better. I’m very happy."

Sinner, who served 15 aces, has beaten Zverev seven straight times and has won a record 32 straight sets at an ATP Masters 1000. A hardcourt dynamo, Sinner captured the first leg of the Sunshine Double on March 15 when he topped Daniel Medvedev in Indian Wells.

Sinner will be a heavy favorite when he faces 21st-seeded Jiri Lehecka in Sunday’s final. Sinner has won 11 straight matches in Miami dating to 2024. He captured the 2024 Miami Open but wasn’t allowed to defend his title.

Nevertheless, Zverev was the crowd favorite, particularly drawing loud cheers on points he won in the second set.

When the 6-foot-6 German got up a break point leading 4-3 in the second set, the stadium was awash in noise. But Zverev couldn’t pull it off, hitting a backhand into the net as Sinner escaped. In the second-set tiebreaker, Sinner lost the first point but pounded two straight aces to lead 2-1 and soon it was over after a Zverev service return sailed long.

Sinner notched his first-set break at 2-1. Off a long rally, he came in and smashed an overhead winner for break point, then looped a lovely forehand winner down the line to make it 3-1.

Sinner has a 3-0 career record against Lehecka, beating him last at the 2025 French Open.

Lehecka advanced to the biggest ATP final of his rising career by routing 28th seed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-2 in the early semifinal. Lehecka’s Czech countryman, Jakub Mensik, won the Miami Open last year.

Lehecka will make his first appearance in an ATP Masters 1000 final.

“Today was a great match,’’ Lehecka said. “Definitely brought me a lot of confidence going into the Sunday final. I must say that it was one of the better matches that I played in my life,’’

Lehecka, 24, broke Fils in the opening game and the outcome never seemed in doubt. On match point, Lehecka served an ace and raised his arms. Lehecka finished with six aces, no doubles faults and didn’t face a break point. He hasn’t been broken in the tournament.

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

Alexander Zverev of Germany reacts to a missed point against Jannik Sinner of Italy during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, right, hugs Arthur Fils of France, after winning in their semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic celebrates after winning a semifinal match against Arthur Fils of France, at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic shouts as he celebrates after winning a semifinal match against Arthur Fils of France, at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)