Hong Kong's Coleman Wong Chak-lam concluded his National Games campaign with a bronze medal after a hard-fought three-set loss to Zhejiang's Wu Yibing in the semi-final. The match, held at the Hengqin International Tennis Centre in Zhuhai on Wednesday, saw Wu emerge victorious with a score of 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.

Wong, who had expressed his desire for a rematch against Wu, showcased resilience throughout the encounter. In the opening set, Wong twice recovered from a break down to eventually claim the set in a tiebreak. The set was closely contested, highlighting the competitive nature of the match. Both players maintained their serves in the second set, leading to another tiebreak. This time, Wu managed to secure the tiebreak 9-7 on his sixth set point, leveling the score.

Building on his momentum, Wu broke Wong's serve in the first game of the deciding set. The 26-year-old Wu sealed his victory with a service winner on break point in the tenth game, winning the subsequent two points to close out the match. The match lasted for an extended duration, testing the physical and mental fortitude of both athletes.

Despite the defeat, Wong's performance at the National Games marks a historic moment for Hong Kong tennis. By reaching the semi-finals, Wong guaranteed himself a bronze medal, a first for a Hong Kong tennis singles player at the National Games.

Wong's journey to the semi-finals included a victory over Cui Jie of Beijing in the quarter-finals, which he won 7-5, 6-0. Prior to the semi-final clash, Wong acknowledged his past encounters with Wu, including a win at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023 and another victory at an ATP tournament in the same city the following year, where Wu retired due to injury. Wong had stated his eagerness to face Wu again, emphasizing his growth and maturity as a player since their previous encounters.

Wu Yibing will now proceed to the final where he is set to face Jerry Shang. Shang progressed after a comeback win against top seed Bu Yunchaokete.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's athletes have been making their mark at the National Games across various sports. Cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing secured a gold medal, with swimmer Siobhan Haughey adding two bronze medals to the tally. As the Games progress, Hong Kong's athletes continue to strive for excellence, showcasing their talent and determination on the national stage.