Tennis

Lý Hoàng Nam advanced to his first ever ATP Challenger Tour final in the Bangkok Open 1 tennis tournament on August 27. Photo hcmcpv.org.vn

HÀ NỘI — Lý Hoàng Nam reached his first ever ATP Challenger Tour final in his career after his semi-final win at the Challenger Bangkok Open 1 tennis tournament on August 27.

Nam defeated Australian Dane Sweeny 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-3 to reach the final.

Nam secured a breakpoint in the fifth game to lead 3-2 but Sweeny quickly leveled the score stealing a break in the next game.

The Vietnamese earned another break in the ninth game and successfully won his serving game to win the first set 6-4.

In the second set, the two players cancelled each other out which forced a tie-break that the Australian dominated to win 7-2.

In the third set, Sweeny took one break point while Nam earned two to secure the victory.

His win gave him 30 points and he will definitely advance to the world's top 300 in Monday's ATP release. It will be his and Việt Nam's highest place in the world.

Nam will play Valentin Vacherot of Monaco in the final. The world No 344 surprisingly beat No 2 seed, Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan, in the other semi. VNS