HONG KONG, December 30, 2024 (Press Release)
Italian World No. 53 Italian Lorenzo Sonego caused a shock on day one at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open (“BOCHKTO”) 2025 with a 7-6(4), 6-3 win over No. 6 seed Brandon Nakashima.
The 29-year-old took a tight first set on the tie-break and then quickly established a three-love lead in the second. The one break was all that Sonego needed to hold off the US-American as he progresses to play Cameron Norrie, who outlasted Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up Learner Tien, 6-3, 7-5, in the last 16.
Grip it and rip it
Lorenzo Sonego unleashes a huge forehand winner!#BOCHKTO pic.twitter.com/VYk8R2BaKL
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 30, 2024
Hong Kong No. 1 Coleman Wong Chak-lam warmed up for his singles first round match on Tuesday with a Doubles outing alongside Korean JiSung Nam on Centre Court.
The Asian pair battled gamely but ultimately fell in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 to the formidable pairing of Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev. While unseeded in the doubles draw, World No. 8 Rublev and World No. 19 Khachanov are the top and third seeds respectively in the singles tournament.
It was the second consecutive year Wong had lost to the Khachanov-Rublev combination at Victoria Park Tennis Centre Court as he was drawn against this same pair a year ago with his partner, Belgian Zizou Bergs.
Wong commented: “I played exactly the same pair as last year, but I feel that this year I was quicker to get into the rhythm of the match. Everything last year was a new experience for me, but this year it is different. I feel very lucky and honoured to be playing on centre court of the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open, which to me is a very special competition.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s match versus Shang Juncheng, Wong said: “I hope to be able to play a match that will meet the standard I have set for myself and to play to a level that I will be happy with. Although I can’t control the result, the most important thing to me is to just play my game. Serving is my strength, so I am confident going into tomorrow’s match,” added Wong.
A tantalising Tuesday awaits the fans at the iconic Victoria Park Tennis Stadium. China’s Bu Yunchaokete, who burst into the Top 100 at the tail end of last season, opens proceedings on Centre Court in a clash with No.5 seed Nuno Borges at 13.00.
Two revitalised former Top 10 stars then take centre stage in the shape of US Open 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. They split two hard court tussles in 2018 in Acapulco and Washington. Will Nishikori’s extensive experience count, or will Shapovalov’s trademark single-handed backhand help ignite an opening victory?
The night session will witness a Box Office battle with a local cast. Hong Kong’s finest Coleman Wong Chak-lam hopes to make the most of his wild card opportunity against 2024 semi-finalist Shang Juncheng. World No. 50 Shang secured a 6-4, 6-4 scoreline in their previous meeting at the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 just two months ago.
