Davis Cup: Hong Kong seek win over Zimbabwe to stay in World Group II
- Coleman Wong says ‘I fancy our chances’ against opponents ‘not as strong as’ Latvia, who beat Hong Kong last year
- Teenager also targets a place at the French Open after missing out on the last grand-slam tournament, the Australian Open
 - Mike Chan.jpeg?itok=EQbwYm3R&v=1669714688)
Hong Kong tennis star Coleman Wong Chak-lam has set his sights firmly on victory in this weekend’s home Davis Cup tie with Zimbabwe at Victoria Park.
The hosts will entertain the unfancied Zimbabweans seeking a win to stay in World Group II, and Wong believes they are on course to manage it.
“I am confident in myself, as well as my teammates,” he said. “I don’t feel too much pressure … I am treating it as per normal.
“They are not as strong as Latvia [who beat Hong Kong narrowly in September], so I fancy our chances.”
Wong added that he was familiar with Benjamin Lock, the top player from the visiting side, but he will not be playing the 30-year-old right-hander, who ranks 101 places lower him at No 348.
Instead, Jack Wong Hong-kit, ranked No 1,643, will play in the opening match on Saturday, but he is hopeful of handing over to his teammate with the hosts in the lead.
“I’ve watched him play and he’s strong, but I’ve prepared well, so I have a good chance,” the 25-year-old Wong said. “I’ve practised more lately and my form is good.
“We are a much stronger side, so if I nail the first match we can win the tie 3-0.”
The 12 winning teams from the play-offs will remain in World Group II, while the 12 losing sides will play in World Group III in their continental zone.
Having played in Thailand after the Hong Kong Open last month, Coleman Wong said he hoped to crack the top 100 by the season’s end.
“I barely missed out on reaching the [qualifying draw of the] Australian Open, but it doesn’t matter,” the 19-year-old said. “I still have many more chances to try reaching the grand slams, so it’s all right to miss that one.
“I just want to make sure I can play at the French Open, so I will be playing a lot of tournaments before May’s cut-off time.
Hong Kong tennis chief wants to add third elite event to city’s sporting calendar
“I might as well play at some bigger tournaments, so I am looking forward to those. I am almost there, but I just want to make sure I am on it when the list is announced.”
The teenager will head to India to play some Challenger series to try to notch up some ranking points.
The main draw of any grand slam consists of 128 players, of whom 16 emerge from the qualifying draw, itself comprising 128 hopefuls.
