From barely making the cut to lighting up New York's Grandstand court, 21-year-old Coleman Wong of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region turned heads at the US Open. The world No. 173 had fought through three qualifying rounds to secure his spot, then battled 15th seed Andrey Rublev in a third-round thriller that captured imaginations from New York to Hong Kong.
The five-set epic swung back and forth: Wong dazzled with his signature disguised drop shots to win the opening set 6-2. Rublev responded with his trademark power, claiming the next two sets 6-4, 6-3. Wong kept up the pressure, taking the fourth set 6-4 before Rublev closed out the decider 6-3.
"I'm getting closer, and I have proved to myself that I can do it," Wong reflected after the match. With his ranking about to jump, the qualifier now eyes a top-100 breakthrough—a milestone that could rewrite his career trajectory.
Elsewhere, reigning champion Jannik Sinner overcame a first-set setback to beat Canadian 27th seed Denis Shapovalov 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, keeping alive his bid to become the first man to defend a US Open title since 2008.
For sports fans and rising talents around the globe, Wong's run is a reminder that grit, belief, and a well-placed drop shot can flip the script on even the toughest stage.
Reference(s):
US Open roundup: Wong's fairytale run ends after Rublev thriller
cgtn.com
