Coleman Wong's captivating US Open journey concluded on Saturday after a hard-fought five-set battle against Andrey Rublev. The young Hongkonger, ranked 173rd in the world, ultimately succumbed to the world No. 15 with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Despite the loss, Wong's performance won him a legion of new fans who cheered him on throughout the four-hour encounter.
Wong's impressive run at the US Open marked a series of firsts. He became the first player from Hong Kong to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam since 1988. His first-round victory against Aleksandar Kovacevic made him the first player from Hong Kong in the Open era to win a Grand Slam singles match. He then followed this up by defeating Australia's Adam Walton to reach the third round, a feat no other player from Hong Kong has ever achieved.
The match against Rublev was a thrilling affair, with Wong showcasing his improving game. He secured the first and fourth sets, demonstrating his resilience and fighting spirit. Wong also unleashed 25 aces during the match, putting pressure on Rublev's service games. Rublev acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating that Wong "played aggressively and with no fear". He also admitted to struggling at the start of the match and needing to fight for every ball to turn things around.
Rublev revealed that he had practiced with Wong in Cincinnati and was defeated by the young player. This experience gave Wong the confidence to play exceptionally well during their US Open encounter. Wong's coach, James Allemby, mentioned that Wong aims to make his presence felt when practicing with top-level players, sending a message that he is there to compete.
Throughout the US Open, Wong displayed a fearless and aggressive style of play. He delighted the crowd with superb shots, including his signature disguised drop shot that often left Rublev scrambling at the net. Wong's coach emphasized his bounceback capacity, referencing a past experience where Wong learned to recover from difficult losses.
Despite his defeat, Wong remained positive and expressed his enjoyment of the US Open experience. He stated that he was "swinging it" and feeling good, viewing the tournament as a series of firsts for himself, Hong Kong, and his team. He also said there was no pressure and he was excited to play against a top player like Rublev.
Rublev, while acknowledging Wong's strong performance, admitted that the match was more "drama than enjoyable". He will now advance to the fourth round, where he will face either Alexander Zverev or Felix Auger-Aliassime. Rublev has been a consistent top-10 player for the past five years but has yet to advance past the quarterfinals of any major tournament.
Coleman Wong's US Open run may have ended, but his performance has undoubtedly left a lasting impression. His historic achievements and spirited play have inspired fans and marked him as a rising star in the world of tennis.
