It is the first time Lang Son has hosted a national-level tennis tournament, gathering nearly 80 strong tennis aces across the country.
Held jointly by the Vietnam Tennis Federation (VTF), Lang Son provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Lang Son Tennis Federation, the tournament takes place at the Phai Ve tennis court in Lang Son city and will last until June 9.
The tournament attracts 77 players from nine teams, featuring the participation of outstanding aces, including No. 1 seed in men’s singles Hoang Thanh Trung (Hai Dang Tay Ninh club), No. 2 seed Nguyen Dac Tien (Hanoi), No. 3 seed Le Khanh Duy (Becamex Binh Duong), former No. 1 player for the national team - Pham Minh Tuan (Hung Thinh - Ho Chi Minh City), and “king” in men’s doubles - Le Quoc Khanh (Hung Thinh - HCMC).
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The VTF Masters 500-2-Vietravel Cup 2019 officially kicked off in Lang Son on June 3. (Photo courtesy to VTF)
On the women’s side, there are reigning champion at VTF Masters 500-1 - Tran Thuy Thanh Truc (Hung Thinh HCM), who is also the No. 1 seed in women’s singles, Phan Thi Thanh Binh - reigning champion of the female team and women's doubles at the 2018 National Games, and overseas Vietnamese player Chanelle Van Nguyen (Hung Thinh HCMC), who is currently ranked 839th on WTA rankings.
On the first day of competition, hosts Lang Son took a victory when Vu Thanh Tung beat Hoang Bao Long (Hanoi) 6-2 6-3. However, Tung’s teammate - Dinh Hoang Lam failed to progress after being defeated 5-7 3-6 in two straight sets by Nguyen Minh Nhat (Hung Thinh - HCMC).
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Pham Minh Tuan (Hung Thinh - HCMC) in action during his opening match on June 3, 2019. (Photo courtesy to VTF)
Nhat’s teammate - Pham Minh Tuan had an easy win against junior Bui Hoang Anh (Hanoi) after two sets with the same score of 6-1. Meanwhile, another representative from Hung Thinh - HCMC, Tran Tien Thinh (No. 8 seed) also had a favourable opening match while beating teammate Tran Van Quoc Duy 6-0 6-1.
There were no surprises in the women's singles as the higher rated players also won. Phan Diem Quynh (Becamex Binh Duong) easily beat Tong Thi Nguyen (Son La) 6-1 6-1, Nguyen Thi Mai Linh (Hanoi) won 7-6(3) 6-4 against Tran Thi Tra My (Son La), and Ly Minh Anh (Bac Giang) also quickly defeated Lo Thi Duyen (Son La) 6-1 in both sets.
Tomorrow, the seeded players will simultaneously take to the court as the first seed in men’s singles, Hoang Thanh Trung will meet his junior Tu Ngoc Nhut (Became Binh Duong). No. 2 seed Nguyen Dac Tien will take on Nguyen Minh Nhat (Hung Thinh - HCMC).
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A lot of spectators come to cheer on players at Phai Ve court. (Photo courtesy to VTF)
In the women’s singles, No. 1 seed Tran Thuy Thanh Truc (Hung Thinh - HCMC) will face Le Thi Dao (Hai Duong), while No. 2 seed Phan Thi Thanh Binh (Da Nang) will play Giap Minh Tam (Bac Giang).
The tournament features four categories of men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles and women's doubles.
In addition to reward points and trophies for winners, players will be also rewarded with high cash bonuses with a total prize fund of up to VND500 million. Accordingly, the men's singles champion will receive VND70 million, while the women's singles champion will walk away with cash worth VND60 million. Bonuses for the men's doubles and women's doubles champions are at VND35 million and VND 30 million, respectively.
