Davis Cup: Hong Kong draw level against Latvia as Coleman Wong leads fightback after big rain delay
- Coleman Wong races through to victory against Martins Rocens in Saturday’s second singles match in Victoria Park following three-hour break
- Robert Strombachs earlier battled past Hong Kong No 2 Jack Wong Hong-kit in three sets to give visitors the lead in five-rubber tie
Hong Kong’s Davis Cup tie against Latvia became the latest sporting fixture to fall victim to the city’s record-breaking September rain on Saturday. But Coleman Wong Chak-lam made quick work of his opponent once play resumed at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium to bring his side level at 1-1 going into Sunday’s decisive matches.
Jack Wong Hong-kit had lost to Robert Strombachs in three sets earlier on Saturday, the Latvian No 1 winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 10 minutes.
Coleman Wong was then leading the city’s fightback in their world group II first-round tie when rain halted play around 3.30pm in Causeway Bay.
The 19-year-old two-time junior doubles grand slam champion was up by a set and a break against Martins Rocens in the second singles rubber when the rain came.
Play resumed at 6.15pm under the floodlights, after ground staff had sufficiently dried the court with a plethora of squeegees, and Hong Kong No 1 Wong raced through to a 6-4, 6-2 victory in just 98 minutes.
“It is never easy to stay focused during a three-hour rain break but I’m happy my team kept me ready and hyped for the match,” Wong said after his win.
“I feel like I executed my game plan very well and I’m happy I got through.”
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Jack Wong and Coleman Wong will return in the doubles on Sunday to face Mikelis Libietis and Strombachs.
Coleman Wong will then play Strombachs in the third singles match, before Jack Wong faces Rocens if necessary.
“I think it will be tough to play two matches on Sunday but I can manage it,” Coleman Wong added. “I’m confident Hong Kong can do this and I’m happy to be part of it.
“Jack’s performance gave me a lot of confidence because it was a great match and I saw a lot from Robert.”
Latvia are without their former world No 10 Ernests Gulbis, who recently retired, but their new No 1 Strombachs was still too good for Jack Wong, Hong Kong’s No 2.
Hong Kong had not hosted a home tie in the competition since 2019, and a smattering of hardy souls braved the muggy Saturday afternoon heat – with free fans given out at the entrance gate, to go with free entry – as Jack Wong stepped on court to big cheers.
The 25-year-old – ranked No 1,478 in the world – fought hard but lost the first set in 40 minutes, with Strombachs starting the second where he left off, hammering down an ace en route to an easy hold.
Wong saved a break point at 2-1 down to keep things on serve. Geed on by chants of “Hong Kong, ga yau” among the 200 or so in the crowd, he then took the second of two break points of his own at 4-4, and held serve to level the match.
World No 385 Strombachs, who had double faulted to gift Wong his way back into the match, set about correcting his error by racing into a 3-0 lead in the deciding set.
It proved to be crucial, and the 23-year-old held steady to seal a tight victory.
“I’m physically fine, so it’s all good,” Wong said after the match. “I was just a little bit short in some tight moments. But it was pretty good. I knew he was going to be good, he’s ranked [around] 300 in the world.
“The whole match was so close, I almost had him in the third. But I’m happy overall. I’ll be ready for Sunday. If Coleman wins this, we’re going to have our chances.
“Davis Cup is just a different tournament, the atmosphere – I feel a lot of support from the crowd and my team as well.”
The winner of the tie will join the other 11 first-round winners in the 2024 Davis Cup world group I play-offs. The loser will play in the world group II play-offs.
