Coleman Wong is embracing the significance of the moment as he prepares for his second-round match against Adam Walton at the US Open. The 21-year-old Hong Kong native is acutely aware of the historical importance of his first-round victory, which marked the first time a male player from Hong Kong has won a Grand Slam singles match since the Open era began in 1968.
Wong expressed his excitement and the weight of the achievement, stating, "It's a big moment for me and also my family, Hong Kong people here and back at home. It means a lot". He secured his place in the second round by defeating American Aleksandar Kovacevic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 7-6.
After successfully navigating the qualifying rounds at the US Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon and French Open, Wong is determined to savor his accomplishment. He was so engrossed in the moment that he had yet to respond to a congratulatory text message from his idol, Rafael Nadal. Wong's connection to Nadal extends beyond admiration, as his family relocated to Spain to enable him to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy, a move that has proven pivotal in his career.
Adding to the camaraderie, Wong witnessed Alexandra Eala's historic victory at the US Open, where she became the first woman representing the Philippines to win a Grand Slam match.
Meanwhile, Adam Walton, the world No. 176, is also riding high after a significant win of his own. The Brisbane native defeated 22nd seed Ugo Humbert of France 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-1, marking the biggest victory of his career. This win follows Walton's impressive performance in Cincinnati, where he triumphed over former world No. 1 and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.
Walton acknowledged the significance of his victory, stating, "At a slam, to beat a seeded player and it's a first win and you take great confidence in doing so. So obviously very happy with the win". His successful "American summer" has propelled him to a career-high ranking of at least No. 74 in the world.
Reflecting on his improved form, Walton noted, "I feel more comfortable being back on the hard courts, and I'm just glad that this American summer I've really been able to capitalise on some good matches and some good wins. Last year was horrible. I didn't win a match. But I'm just feeling very happy with where my game's at right now".
Both Wong and Walton are set to receive a minimum of $US154,000 ($A237,000) for their efforts. Their head to head record is 1-1. For Walton, this presents a significant opportunity to advance further in the tournament.
As the US Open progresses, other notable events have unfolded. Novak Djokovic faced physical challenges but managed to defeat Learner Tien in straight sets. Daniil Medvedev experienced a surprising upset, losing to Benjamin Bonzi in a five-set match. American players such as Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Brandon Nakashima have also made strong starts.