According to the original plan from the Vietnam Tennis Federation (VTF), the tournament was to take place in the southern province in March, but all sports events across the country were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and tennis was no exception.
With the total prize value of up to VND500 million, the VTF Masters 500-1 is the highest award event hosted by the VTF this year, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tay Ninh Province and Hai Dang Joint Stock Company.
As the first professional tennis event in Vietnam to be held in 2020 after the COVID-19 break, the tournament aims to promote tennis among the public, as well as to help players enhance their performance to prepare for the national team to attend the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam next year.
The tournament has attracted the participation of 84 players from nine delegations and clubs across the country, including Hai Dang Tennis Club, Hanoi, Hung Thinh - Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Duong, the Army Team, Becamex Binh Duong, Tennis Fans League Club and the VTF Club.
Notably, the tournament features top names in Vietnam’s tennis such as the country’s No. 1 player Ly Hoang Nam (Hai Dang Club), who is also the top seeded in the men’s singles tournament; former national champion Pham Minh Tuan (Hung Thinh - Ho Chi Minh City) (second seeded); third seed Nguyen Dac Tien (Hanoi); and last year’s runner-up of the National Championship - Hung Thinh Cup 2019 Nguyen Van Phuong (Hai Dang Club). In addition, Tran Thuy Thanh Truc (Hung Thinh - Ho Chi Minh City), Dao Minh Trang (Hung Thinh - Ho Chi Minh City), Phan Diem Quynh (Becamex Binh Duong), Si Boi Ngoc (Army Team) are prominent names in the women’s events.
The event has attracted over 84 tennis players from nine strong teams across the nation. (Photo: VTF)
The first day of the tournament on June 15 witnessed many surprises from the home team - the Hai Dang Club. Right in the first match, the 2007-born Nguyen Dai Khanh beat his senior Pham Hoang Hieu (Da Nang) 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Several other home team players also won their matches, with Nguyen Huu Hung Anh beating Truong Gia Kiet (Becamex Binh Duong) 6-1 in both sets; Vu Ha Minh Duc coming from behind to defeat Tran Van Chat (Da Nang) 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4; Ngo Hong Hanh beating Dao Uyen My (Becamex Binh Duong) 6-0 in both sets; and Le Nguyen Phuong Trinh only needing three sets to beat Tong Thi Nguyen (Son La) 6-7 (2), 6- 4, 7-6 (3).
Today, No. 1 seed Ly Hoang Nam will play his opening match against his junior teammate Nguyen Huu Hung Anh. The No. 2 seed Pham Minh Tuan (Hung Thinh - Ho Chi Minh City), No. 3 seed Nguyen Dac Tien (Hanoi) and No. 4 seed Tu Le Khanh Duy (Hai Dang Club) will also enter their first matches.
In addition to the bonus points and trophies for the winners, they will also receive a high cash reward with a total prize of VND500 million. Accordingly, the men's singles champion will receive VND70 million, the women's singles champion VND60 million, the men's doubles champions VND35 million, and the women's doubles champions VND30 million. The high bonus is expected to increase the competition and the professional quality of the tournament.
The tournament is taking place from June 15 to 21 at the Hai Dang Tennis Court in Tay Ninh City, Tay Ninh Province. The matches of the tournament are being broadcast live on Tay Ninh Television (TTV11) and Sports TV channel of Vietnam Cable Television (VTVcab).
