Tennis

Lý Hoàng Nam of Việt Nam returns a ball during the M15 Nakhon Si Thammarat final against Sander Jong of the Netherlands on February 25 in Thailand. Photos of ITF

HÀ NỘI — Lý Hoàng Nam celebrated his 27th birthday with a trophy at the ITF World Tennis Tour M15 Nakhon Si Thammarat event on February 25 in Thailand.

The Vietnamese No 1 bounced back to beat Sander Jong of the Netherlands 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 in the three-hour final to end his 500 days of drought without silverware.

Jong proved him a tough rival with strong serves mixed with powerful shots to corners, forcing Nam to run hard.

Nam attached himself at the base line to return well and waited for Jong's mistakes. He succeeded in the ninth game and led 5-4 in the first set. But Jong came back to save a set points and level 5-5. Both won their next game forcing the set to the tie break in which Nam lost 4-7.

Lý Hoàng Nam and his first prize of 2024 after winning the M15 Nakhon Si Thammarat event on February 25 in Thailand.

The second set was nearly the same as players went neck-on-neck until 6-6 and in the tie break Nam won 7-2.

Despite age just 23, four years younger than Nam, Jong could not maintain his best fitness in the third set. His series of errors made it an easy set for Nam who won 6-4 and sealed his victory.

Nam last won an international title at the M25 Tây Ninh in October, 2022. His 11th title in the ITF's Men Futures system brought him 10 points for the world ranking. He will be back to top 500 this week.

Nam will remain in Thailand for the next M15 Nakhon Si Thammarat on February 26-March 3. VNS