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Lars Hamer

Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo won the final of the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Hong Kong on Wednesday, beating Jenson Brooksby 3-1 to lift the Zeus Trophy.
Hong Kong star Coleman Wong Chak-lam was also in action at the eight-player tournament at Kai Tak Arena and played a thrilling classification match against Richard Gasquet, winning 4-3.
After the match, Wong said he had enjoyed the quick-fire version of the sport and “clicked” with international star Nick Kyrgios, while winner Cerundolo said he was “super happy” to be crowned champion.
“I am super happy for everything, mostly that I won here … it’s a great event, fun event, with great players,” Cerundolo said. “I started a little bit learning how this event works, how to play, how to manage the times, the points.
“I started learning and experiencing a little bit, and today, I play really well, and I manage almost everything like super good.”

Ranked world No 21 on the ATP Tour, Cerundolo dispatched his American opponent 19-5 in the first quarter, while Brooksby, who was a late replacement for the injured Alex de Minaur, edged the second 12-10.
Leading 10-6 with one minute left in the third quarter, Cerundolo watched as Brooksby activated his card, meaning if the American converted, he would score three points, which he did to set up what should have been a nail-biting finish.
But the 24-year-old Brooksby conceded five within thirty seconds to lose the quarter 15-9. Cerundolo then sealed the title with an emphatic 17-7 fourth leg.
In Wong’s final game of the two-day event, he lost the first quarter 9-17. But the 21-year-old, cheered on by around 4,500 fans in Kai Tak, battled back to 1-1 (17-10) against the now-retired former world No 7 in the second quarter.
Wong was down in the third and, with just seconds left, activated his three-point card but was unable to convert, losing 15-11.
Wong was trailing 11-3 in the fourth quarter but scored an impressive run of points, including converting his card for three points, and with 15 seconds left brought the scores level to force a deciding point, which the Hongkonger won to take the match to sudden death.
The tie break, where the first player to score two points in a row wins, went Wong’s way.
“I feel amazing, I didn’t expect there to be that many people watching me,” Wong said. “Even though it’s just an exhibition, it is still a tournament and I can already feel that the audience loves tennis now.”
Throughout the week, Wong and Australian Kyrgios – who was coaching Gasquet – have shared posts of each other having fun in Hong Kong, and he said the two “clicked straight away”.
“He’s asking me where to go, and then I suggest a few places in Hong Kong for him to go around,” Wong said.
“He’s a nice guy, and I like to talk to him about anything, food, tennis and he really enjoyed it here. I talk a lot, and I’m not shy to ask questions to him.”

Cerundolo had secured his spot in the final earlier in the day, beating Andrey Rublev 3-0. The Russian said he was “frustrated” with his performance, but hoped to return to Hong Kong for the season-opening ATP 250 tournament.
“I get a bit frustrated during the quarters because I have a lot of opportunities,” Rublev said. “I was up, and he played well, and I didn’t play well, that’s it, and I was kind of emotional in the moment.
“I would love to come back, so we’ll see how it goes for two months.
“I like the [Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open] tournament a lot. I like the people who work for the tournament. I like the city a lot, so I would be more than happy to come back.”
The other semi-final saw Brooksby beat Jerry Shang Juncheng 3-0.


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Francisco Cerundolo takes maiden UTS Hong Kong title, while Wong bows out on winning note

Francisco Cerundolo returns the ball to Jenson Brooksby during their UTS Hong Kong final at Kai Tak Arena. Photo: Eugene Lee

Coleman Wong gets the crowd going during his match against Richard Gasquet. Photo: Eugene Lee

Francisco Cerundolo wins against Jenson Brooksby at UST tournament in Kai Tak Arena. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sabalenka, Kyrgios will take ‘Battle of the Sexes’ to Dubai as Hong Kong misses out

Aryna Sabalenka has been taking advice from Novak Djokovic ahead of her match with Nick Kyrgios. Photo: Jelly Tse

Nick Kyrgios said he was feeling the pressure of representing his ATP colleagues. Photo: dpa

Ultimate Tennis Showdown: Wong falls short in clash with Rublev, but ‘loves every minute’

Fans cheer for Coleman Wong during his UTS quarter-final against Andrey Rublev at Kai Tak Arena. Photo: Karma Lo

Coleman Wong hits a return during his clash with Andrey Rublev. Photo: Karma Lo

Zhang Zhizhen did not have a great day against Jenson Brooksby. Photo: Karma Lo

Sport

China

Tennis

Hong Kong

Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo downs Jenson Brooksby in final at Kai Tak Arena. Coleman Wong seals thrilling victory over Richard Gasquet


Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo downs Jenson Brooksby in final at Kai Tak Arena. Coleman Wong seals thrilling victory over Richard Gasquet.


Francisco Cerundolo takes maiden UTS Hong Kong title, while Wong bows out on winning note

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo downs Jenson Brooksby in final at Kai Tak Arena. Coleman Wong seals thrilling victory over Richard Gasquet

Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo downs Jenson Brooksby in final at Kai Tak Arena. Coleman Wong seals thrilling victory over Richard Gasquet