Coleman Wong Chak-lam has been tipped to enter his sixth Challenger Tour final on Sunday as a more pragmatic and single-minded competitor than the young man who was beaten on his five previous attempts to lift a trophy.
Hongkonger Wong survived a few sticky moments but was largely in control in his semi-final in Jiujiang on Saturday, overcoming Sun Fajing 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 25 minutes.
In the final, he will meet Australian Adam Walton in a rerun of the pair’s US Open second-round clash last August, which Wong won in four sets.
“He has bigger aspirations than simply winning Challenger titles and he’s going to use this opportunity to improve for a fifth successive day, and to be best prepared for the challenges the main tour holds for him,” said James Allemby, Wong’s coach.
“The final is just another stop on the journey towards maximising his potential. Previously, his perception of a final was far too romanticised, which creates mental hurdles.”
Having already overcome Mikhail Kukushkin, the former world No 39, Japan’s Rio Noguchi and Bo Yunchaokete without dropping a set in the mainland China city, Wong maintained his unblemished record against an opponent in Sun who had won 11 of his previous 12 matches.