He started the year as a hitting partner for Martina Hingis.
Yesterday Wayne Wong showed all that practice against the world's number-one female player was not in vain when he came close to blowing Pakistani ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qurashi off the Victoria Park court.
Only the unfamiliarity of a five-set match under Davis Cup conditions prevented the Hong Kong teenager from giving the SAR a 2-0 lead on the opening day of the Asia-Oceania Zone Group II tie yesterday.
After three gruelling hours Wong succumbed to the former top Asian player. Qurashi, currently ranked 301 on the ATP list, won 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 to keep his team in contention as they shared the honours with Hong Kong.
'This is the first time I have played five sets in this kind of competition. I am disappointed that I could not finish it off. I had my chances,' said Wong.
If he had taken it, top seeds Pakistan would have been in more trouble. As it is, they will be wondering if Qurashi will be able to handle the rigours of today's doubles and then the reverse singles tomorrow after being given the full treatment by Wong.
'He will be tired tomorrow,' said Wong, taking some consolation and delight in keeping the favourite on court for longer than expected.
