Wong's Fairytale Run at the US Open Comes to an End

Wong has proved to himself he can play against top players

Coleman Wong Chak-lam's run at the US Open sadly came to an end today, but not without putting up a fight against world No. 15 Russian Andrey Rublev in a five-set thriller, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre's Grandstand court.

The match, which lasted more than three hours, saw Wong take the first and fourth sets, and serve a total of 25 aces. The 21-year-old is pleased with how he has improved significantly.

Rublev (left) said Wong played with no fear

"I'm getting closer, and I've proved to myself that I can do it," Wong said of wanting to break into the top 100. "I need to keep believing. I can see that I have the potential and I can scare the big guys.

"I believe in myself more now. I was still in Challengers, and now I'm in the US Open third round, almost beating a tough top 20 player, going five sets with them. It means I'm capable of pushing them all the way."

Rublev was gracious towards his Hong Kong opponent, ranked No. 173.

"It was a tough match, he played really well," said Rublev on the court afterwards. "He played aggressively and with no fear, it was tough. I didn't start well, he was all over me and I needed to fight for every ball to turn it around.

"He was fighting until the end in the last game. I'm happy I was able to win and get to the next round."

Indeed. Rublev will be facing Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who stunned world No. 3 Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Wong hopes to break into the top 100 rankings

In the meantime, Wong will return to Hong Kong to play in a Davis Cup match against Uzbekistan next month.

He'll probably have a hero's welcome back and a lot of Hongkongers excited to watch him play. We've got Olympic swimmer Siobhan Haughey, fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long, and now tennis phenom Wong.

Wong has put Hong Kong on the map in tennis and definitely one to watch!