Lý Hoàng Nam (right) celebrates winning the M25 Tây Ninh – Hải Đăng Cup tennis tournament. — Photo VTF

HÀ NỘI — Top Vietnamese tennis player Lý Hoàng Nam defeated Ajeet Rai of New Zealand on Sunday to win the M25 Tây Ninh – Hải Đăng Cup tennis tournament for the first time.

This was Nam's fourth attempt after losing an M25 final three times before. 

In 2019, he was defeated by Daniel Nguyễn, before losing to French player Kenny de Schepper at the M25 Toulouse-Balma in France earlier this year. Last week, he lost to Hsu Yu-hsiou of Chinese Taipei at the M25 Tây Ninh.

The M25 tennis event is part of the ITF men's world tennis tour.

Sharing about the journey to compete in two consecutive M25 professional tournaments in his hometown of Tây Ninh Province, Nam said he was not satisfied with himself because he was not playing in the right form.

"It was only in the final on Sunday that I felt I was playing better and was very happy to win the M25 for the first time. So I'm even happier to be crowned at home, "Nam said.

With 41 points earned from the two M25 events for the title and second place, Nam is expected to be ranked in the top 250 ATP for the first time.

If Nam can stay in the top 250 ATP until the beginning of 2023, he will qualify for the Australian Open. VNS