Hong Kong girls join 15 of world’s best tennis teams at World Junior Finals after remarkable qualifying display
Cody Wong and Jenny Wong beat top seeds Japan in Thailand to reach finals for first time
Hong Kong’s girls’ tennis team had a remarkable performance at the World Junior Tennis Asia/Oceania Qualifying in Thailand to finish first and reach the finals for the first time.
The HK under-14s will join 15 of the world’s top teams at the finals in Prostejov, Czech Republic, after their win. Hong Kong’s previous best result in the qualifying tournament was sixth.
Hong Kong beat the top three seeds, Australia, South Korea and Japan in the knockout competition.
“Our juniors have proven once again they can compete with the best of them in Asia, and with more belief and dedication, there is potential to put a name on the world stage,” said Hong Kong Tennis Association president, Philip Mok in a statement.
The team beat the top seeds Japan 2-1 in the final to seal their place on the world stage.
Cody Wong, 14 just last month, beat the Japanese No.2 in straight sets for a 1-0 lead before Himari Sato levelled the tie against Jenny Wong.
The pair teamed up in the deciding doubles to win 6-3, 6-3 for the biggest win of their young careers.
Some of the world’s greatest players – Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Justine Henin, Amelie Mauresmo to name but a few – have competed in the event.
