HONG KONG, December 31, 2023 (Press Release)
On New Year’s Day, the Main Draw action begins at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2024 (BOCHKTO 2024) with China’s rising star Shang Juncheng taking on World No. 33 Laslo Djere at 1400 on Centre Court, in what will be the first Main Draw singles match of an ATP Tour tournament in Hong Kong in over 20 years.
Tonight the world will be sparkling from New Year’s Eve pyrotechnics, but on Monday the fireworks will be within the confines of the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium as the Main Draw action begins.
China tennis star Shang Juncheng found time for some personal art appreciation before he competes at #BOCHKTO2024, paying a visit to the Hong Kong Museum of Art.#DiscoverHongKong pic.twitter.com/i8gJWKDhmU
— Hong Kong Men’s Tennis Open (@Hkto_mens) December 29, 2023
After Shang Juncheng faces off with Djere, Centre Court action will see Finland’s Emil Ruusuvouri take on France’s Benjamin Bonzi. Wild card Shintaro Mochizuki and World No. 50 Botic van de Zandschulp will serve up the next treat, ahead of a sensational doubles match to close the Centre Court action.
Hometown star and Hong Kong No. 1 Coleman Wong will pair Zizou Bergs from Belgium in their opening doubles match in the Centre Court finale tomorrow evening. The two have drawn the toughest possible opener against singles World No. 5 Andrey Rublev and World No. 15 Karen Khachanov, who were voted the favourite doubles pairing by ATP fans in 2023.
Four tickets into the main draw are also on offer on New Year’s Day. Top seed Taro Daniel hopes to secure his qualification in a clash with Jan Choinski. Vitaliy Sachko, fresh from downing No. 4 qualifying seed Zsombor Piros, will need to be wary of the heavy serving from Terence Atmane. Otto Virtanen will take on Marc-Andrea Huesler. The last qualifying spot is within reach for either No. 3 seed Liam Broady of Britain or Argentine youngster Roman Andres Burruchaga.
Home favourites fall in qualifying
It was a tough day for local aspirants Jack Wong Hong Kit and Wong Tsz Fu with the former falling to Atmane and the latter being edged out by Daniel.
Wong Hong Kit commented on the BOCHKTO 2024 experience saying: “I actually had a wonderful day today. I had a chance to win the first set, but Terence’s ace spoiled my chances. This is my first time participating on the ATP Tour, and I was overjoyed that I was able to do so at home, with so many home supporters cheering me on. Competing on New Year’s Eve with so many home supporters roaring for me is quite special.
“ATP 250 is a whole other level; the players at this level, regardless of their speed or power, are unlike any other level I’ve played. My goal for 2024 is to improve my game. My next big emphasis is the Davis Cup Group Two (Asia/Oceania Zone) in early February. We aim to beat Zimbabwe here at Victoria Park.”
Today’s qualifying matches were free to the public with thousands of spectators streaming in to welcome the return of an ATP Tour tournament to the city, while the free-entry Tournament Village was also frequented by thousands of spectators as the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association rings in a new year and a new era in men’s tennis in the city.
