Coleman Wong Chak-lam has been tipped to enter his sixth Challenger Tour final on Sunday as a wiser and more single-minded competitor than the youngster who failed in his previous five attempts to lift the trophy.
Hongkonger Wong survived a sticky few minutes but was largely in control in her semi-final in Jiujiang on Saturday, beating Sun Fajing 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 25 minutes.
In the final, he will meet Australian Adam Walton in a rematch of the pair’s US Open second round clash last August, which Wong won in four sets.
“He has bigger ambitions than just winning Challenger titles and will use this opportunity to improve for the fifth day in a row, and better prepare for the challenges that his main tour holds,” said James Allemby, Wong’s coach.
“The finals are just another stop on the journey to increase his abilities. In the past, his view of the finals was very romantic, which creates mental obstacles.”
Having already defeated former world number 39 Mikhail Kukushkin, Japan’s Rio Noguchi and Bo Yunchaokete without dropping a set in the Chinese city, Wong maintained his unblemished record against an opponent in Sun who had won 11 of his last 12 matches.
