Chengdu Open: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong brought down to earth with loss to Japanese veteran
City No 1’s run of form, which saw him into third round of US Open and home Davis Cup win, ends against Taro Daniel
Hong Kong No 1 Coleman Wong Chak-lam was brought crashing back down to earth at the Chengdu Open on Thursday, when he lost 6-3, 6-2 to Japanese veteran Taro Daniel.
Wong went into the competition on the back of a historic run to the third round of the US Open and last weekend led Hong Kong to a 3-1 Davis Cup upset over fifth seeds Uzbekistan.
But Wong was ultimately unable to bring that form to the first round at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre, as world No 168 Daniel knocked out the Hongkonger in one hour and 21 minutes to record his first win on the tour since the Shanghai Open last year.
“So far, such an amazing three days here in Chengdu playing well,” Daniel said. “I’ve had a difficult season, so it’s actually definitely the best tennis I’m playing the whole year, and I’m happy to do it here.
“I came back because I played well here last year, two years ago.
“I think the conditions fit me well, because the balls fly a little bit; we’re in the mountains.”