Eudice Chong and Cody Wong secured a bronze medal for Hong Kong in the women’s doubles on Friday after their run at the tournament ended with a straight sets defeat to Chinese Taipei’s Chan Hao ching and Wu Fang hsien.
The Hong Kong pair had reached the semi finals without dropping a set, but they could not maintain that unbeaten run against their Chinese Taipei opponents. Chan and Wu won the opening set 6 4 after an hour of closely contested tennis before taking control of the second set and finishing the match 6 2.
Despite the semi final loss, Chong and Wong will leave the tournament with a medal. Under the tournament format, there is no separate match to determine third place, meaning the two losing semi finalists receive bronze medals.
Their performance will also bring a financial reward. The Hong Kong partnership is set to receive HK$500,000 under the Jockey Club Outstanding Athletes Award Scheme in recognition of their achievement.
Hong Kong Pair Starts Tournament Strongly
Chong and Wong had produced a perfect run before reaching the last four.
The pair did not lose a set in their matches leading into the semi final, giving them considerable momentum as they faced Chan and Wu. Their results had placed them among the final four teams competing for the women’s doubles title.
The semi final, however, presented a tougher challenge.
Chan and Wu refused to allow the Hong Kong pair to settle into the match. The opening set remained competitive, with both teams battling for control before the Chinese Taipei partnership eventually secured a 6 4 advantage.
The first set lasted around an hour, reflecting the intensity of the contest. Chong and Wong stayed within reach, but they were unable to turn their opportunities into enough games to take the lead.
Chan and Wu then entered the second set with greater control.
Chinese Taipei Pair Takes Control
The second set developed very differently from the first.
Chan and Wu broke serve four times, putting immediate pressure on the Hong Kong partnership. The repeated breaks prevented Chong and Wong from building the rhythm they had shown in earlier rounds.
With the Chinese Taipei pair controlling the exchanges, the second set quickly moved away from the Hong Kong side.
Chan and Wu eventually won it 6 2, completing a straight sets victory and securing their place in the tournament final.
For Chong and Wong, the defeat ended their hopes of advancing further in the competition, but it did not end their medal campaign.
Because there is no bronze medal play off under the tournament format, the Hong Kong duo automatically received third place and took home the bronze medal.
Bronze Medal Adds to Hong Kong’s Return
The medal gives Chong and Wong a place on the podium despite their semi final defeat.
Their progress was built on a run in which they had not dropped a single set before facing Chan and Wu. That consistency carried them into the semi finals, where they faced a partnership capable of changing the momentum of the match through repeated breaks of serve.
The result also means the Hong Kong players will receive a substantial financial award.
The Jockey Club Outstanding Athletes Award Scheme will provide HK$500,000 for their achievement. The incentive adds financial recognition to the sporting result and marks the significance of their bronze medal performance for Hong Kong.
For Chong and Wong, the tournament therefore ends with a mixture of disappointment and achievement. They came within one match of reaching the final but ultimately secured a place on the podium.
The straight sets defeat also showed how quickly the balance of a doubles match can change. After a competitive opening set, four service breaks in the second gave Chan and Wu the separation they needed to close out the contest.
A Medal Despite Semi Final Setback
The final scoreline does not reflect the full story of Hong Kong’s campaign.
Chong and Wong had progressed through the earlier rounds without surrendering a set. Their semi final against Chan and Wu was the first time they were beaten during the tournament, and it came against a pair that took control after a closely fought opening hour.
The 6 4, 6 2 result sent Chan and Wu through to the final, while Chong and Wong secured bronze without having to play another match.
For Hong Kong, the result adds another medal to the delegation’s sporting achievements and gives the women’s doubles partnership a podium finish after a strong tournament run.
The HK$500,000 award will also recognise the pair’s performance under the Jockey Club scheme.
Chong and Wong can now turn their attention to what comes next after completing a tournament in which they reached the semi finals without dropping a set and finished with a bronze medal.
What do you think was the key factor behind Hong Kong’s strong run to the women’s doubles bronze medal?