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Stephy Zhang

Coleman Wong Chak-lam vowed to “give my best” to progress in the Australian Open after overcoming world No 142 Ugo Blanchet of France 6-3, 7-6 in the first round of qualifying on Tuesday.
After reaching the quarter-finals at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 last week and beating Blanchet, Wong is full of belief.
“For me, to keep believing, to keep believing that I can come back every point,” he said. “You never know. That’s how tennis is in this [moment]. That’s how it’s so exciting.”
Wong climbed 18 places in the latest ATP world rankings to No 132, close to his career high of No 128, after his run to the quarter-finals in Hong Kong.
Wong needed only 35 minutes to win the first set after converting his break point opportunities and putting the qualifying No 31 seed Blanchet on the back foot at Melbourne Park.
The second set was more competitive, with both players holding serve to take the set to a tiebreaker. The tiebreak was a tight affair until Wong forced Blanchet into a backhand error, sealing the match for the Hongkonger.

Wong said the match was a good experience for him as “you don’t often play a tiebreak like this”.
Wong hit 33 winners, served 14 aces and committed only 18 unforced errors in a match that lasted 90 minutes.
The 21-year-old was roared on by a large group of fans, whom he thanked for their support in Cantonese after the match.
“I can hear that there’s quite a few Hongkongers here. I really appreciate it, and I just want to keep fighting and see what happens,” he said.
“I hope everyone can keep supporting me like in Hong Kong. I will keep giving my best and hope to stay longer in the tournament.”
Wong reached the US Open main draw from qualifying last year and became the first Hongkonger to make the round of 32 in a grand slam men’s singles event, losing an enthralling five-set tussle with Andrey Rublev.
Last week’s Hong Kong Open also saw him become the first local player to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP Tour event.
Wong will play Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the second round of qualifying after the Spaniard beat Henry Bernet of Switzerland 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.


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Coleman Wong vows to ‘give my best’ to progress in Australian Open after qualifying win

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong hits a return to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti during their men’s singles semi-final match at Hong Kong Tennis Open in Hong Kong on January 9, 2026. Photo: AFP

Coleman Wong beat world No 142 Ugo Blanchet in the Australian Open qualifying round. Photo: Hong Kong, China Tennis Association

Coleman Wong (right) is full of belief in the Australian Open after his run at the Hong Kong Open. Photo: Handout

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Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong hits a return to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti at Hong Kong Tennis Open. Photo: AFP

Coleman Wong puts away an overhead during his quarter-final exit. Photo: Elson Li

Lorenzo Musetti hits through a backhand on his way to downing Coleman Wong. Photo: Elson Li

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Hong Kong

Tennis

The 21-year-old will play Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the second round of qualifying after the Spaniard beat Henry Bernet of Switzerland


The 21-year-old will play Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the second round of qualifying after the Spaniard beat Henry Bernet of Switzerland.


Coleman Wong vows to ‘give my best’ to progress in Australian Open after qualifying win

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 21-year-old will play Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the second round of qualifying after the Spaniard beat Henry Bernet of Switzerland

The 21-year-old will play Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the second round of qualifying after the Spaniard beat Henry Bernet of Switzerland