Title favourite: Defending champion Ly Hoang Nam hits a powerful return in his last-16 match against Le Cong Tien. Nam comfortably beat Tien 6-3, 6-1 to book a place in the quarter-finals. — Photo vtf.org.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — Defending champion Ly Hoang Nam is on track to defending his title at the national tennis championships after defeating Le Cong Tien to reach the quarter-finals.

Nam, 17, beat Tien 6-3, 6-1 to set up a quarter-final match against Lam Quang Tri, who stunned Hoang Thanh Trung 7-5, 6-4.

Nam became the first teenager to win a national title when he defeated Do Minh Quan in the final last year. Quan does not take part in the singles event this year.

Another title contender, Nguyen Hoang Thien, also cruised to the quarter-finals after making light work of teenager Nguyen Dac Tien.

It will, however, be a considerable challenge for Thien in the quarter-finals, where he faces veteran Le Quoc Khanh. Khanh also had an easy win over Nguyen Tuan Anh in the last 16.

The third match of the quarter-finals will see second seed Pham Minh Tuan take on Vu Aterm. While Tuan beat Tran Ngoc Hien 6-0, 6-3, Vu needed more effort to overcome Mai Thanh Dong 7-6, 6-2.

The last match in the quarter-finals will feature Tran Thanh Hoang and Trinh Linh Giang.

In the women's category, top seed Huynh Phuong Dai Trang, who got a walkover in the first round, will take on Pham Thuy Thuong.

Second seed Tran Thi Tam Hao will face Nguyen Thi Be Xuyen, who caused the first shock of the tournament by downing Tiffany Nguyen 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.

In the men's doubles event, top-seeded duo Quan and Khanh sailed through to the last eight by beating Bui Quang Hung and Jonathan Nguyen 6-0, 6-2.

Second-seeded pair Huynh Chi Khuong and Tran Thanh Hoang will face Vu Aterm and Dang Ngoc Vinh in the quarter-finals.

Tran Thi Tam Hao and Nguyen Ai Ngoc Van will also take on Huynh Phi Khanh and Dao Minh Trang in the quarter-finals.

In the mixed doubles event, top-seeded duo Quan and Trang will meet Nguyen Phi Anh Vu and Lo Thi Hoang Nga in the last 16.

The tournament will end on Friday, a day earlier than scheduled in respect for the National Funeral of the late General Vo Nguyen Giap. — VNS