Tennis
Lý Hoàng Nam of Việt Nam goes through semi-finals of the Challenger Bangkok Open 1 tennis tournament.on August 26. Photo vov.vn
HÀ NỘI — Lý Hoàng Nam has for the first time advanced to the semi-finals of a Challenger Tour event after his win on August 26 morning in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand.
Unseeded Nam beat No 1 seed Alastair Gray of Britain 6-4, 7-5 in the quarter-final round of the Challenger Bangkok Open 1 tennis tournament.
Nam reached his best world ranking of No 328 early this week while Gray is currently No 255.
Nam was former Wimbledon boy's double champion while his rival received a wildcard and advanced to the The All England Lawn Tennis Championships' second round in June.
In their match, Nam secured a break point in the sixth game of the first match and he maintained his advantage till the end despite Gray's strong effort to level the score. Nam, 1.75m, nearly 20cm shorter than his rival took it 6-4.
In the second set, Nam also earned a break point in the sixth game. But the Briton made use of Nam's rare mistake in the eighth game to bag a break point back and level at 4-4.
Both two sides drew 5-5 in the next two games before Nam won the last two when Gray's made unforced errors and lost his break point.
The win gives Nam 17 points in the world ranking and a US$1,800 bonus.
He will play the winner of the match between Alibek Kachmazov of Russia and Dane Sweeny from Australia, which will be held on August 27.
Nam is expected to advance to the final, and whatever the result will be in top 300, a new height for his career and his target for the year. VNS
OVietnam