Enthusiastic crowds welcome ATP Tour comeback at Hong Kong Tennis Open opener

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

The BOCHKTO 2024 opened with fanfare, featuring Hong Kong rich culture and high-octane matches, including Shang Juncheng’s remarkable win.

The BOCHKTO 2024 tennis tournament kicked off to a full house, marked by an elaborate opening ceremony showcasing Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage. The event was graced by several dignitaries including Kevin Yeung, the Hong Kong Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Raymond Chan of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; Stephen Chan from the Bank of China Hong Kong; ATP officials Roland Herfel and Denis Zivcovic; and prominent figures from the tennis world like Luiz Carvalho and Michael Cheng, President of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association.

The tournament began with an electrifying start, following a dazzling New Year’s Eve fireworks display. In a notable Centre Court clash, China’s emerging talent Shang Juncheng triumphed over Serbia’s Laslo Djere in a grueling three-hour-plus battle, ending with scores of 6-7, 6-3, 7-6. Shang’s next challenge is against Botic Van De Zandschulp from The Netherlands, who recently defeated Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki.

Shang, reflecting on his victory, acknowledged it as a pivotal moment in his career, especially after a challenging 2023. He expressed his excitement for the future, especially after defeating the 33rd-ranked Djere. Playing in China holds a special place in Shang’s heart, with the overwhelming support from local fans and his family adding to the significance of his wins.

The tournament saw other exciting matches in the Round of 32, with Pavel Kotov, Emil Ruusuvuori, and others securing wins. The qualifying rounds also featured intense battles, with Taro Daniel, Liam Broady, Vityaly Satchko, and Marc-Andrea Huesler coming out on top.

Hong Kong’s top player, Coleman Wong, made his debut in the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2024, teaming with Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in a late-night doubles match against Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov, two top singles players. Despite a valiant effort, Wong and Bergs succumbed to the experienced duo.

Wong shared his gratitude for the home crowd’s support and his enthusiasm for participating in his first ATP tournament. He’s gearing up to face Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in his next singles match, eager to bring his newfound momentum to Centre Court.

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