Coleman Wong’s epic week ended by Belgian after another titanic three-set battle

Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s seesaw week in the Dominican Republic has come to an end after he lost his Copa Cap Cana quarter-final against Alexander Blockx in stifling temperatures on Saturday.

The Hongkonger had recovered from one set down to win his first and second-round matches, but he had the tables turned on him by Belgian Blockx, who hit back after dropping the opener to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 and book a semi-final clash with Mariano Navone.

Wong, 21, also lost from one set up in his second qualifying round meeting with Martin Landaluce, before exploiting his lucky loser spot with comeback victories over world top-100 pair Roman Andres Burruchaga and Damir Dzumhur.

The winner in his only previous meeting with Blockx back in 2024, Wong broke in the third game, then staved off two break points in the eighth and again in the 10th before capitalising on his first set point.

Serving in an incredible fourth game of set two that featured 10 deuces, Wong saved another six break points. At 2-2 he had 40-0 on Blockx’s serve, only for the Belgian to dig himself out of his hole, then eventually break decisively in game 12.

Playing his fifth three-set match in five days, Wong was broken in the sixth game of the decider. He created another three break points as the 20-year-old Blockx served for the match, but lightning struck twice; the world No 97 winning five straight points to finally extinguish Wong’s challenge after 2½ hours.