VietNamNet Bridge – Ly Hoang Nam booked a place in the second round of the Australian Open's junior competition yesterday, Jan 25.

In play: Ly Hoang Nam of Viet Nam advances to the second round of the Australian Open's junior competition. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

The 17-year-old defeated French rival Corentin Moutet 7-6 (4), 7-5 in a tightly fought match of the singles event.

Moutet quickly took a 3-0 lead before Nam gained his confidence and fought back to win five games in a row to make it 5-3.

Moutet then levelled the score at 6-6 to force a first set tie break, which Nam won 7-4.

In the second set, Nam dominated to reach a 5-2 lead, but failed to maintain his performance and allowed to Moutet level at 5-5.

The Vietnamese player won the 11th game on serve with ease, and in the decisive game, Nam took the second of two match points to win 7-5.

In the second round, Nam will play Australia's Akira Santillan this morning.

The tournament's No 16 seed yesterday overcame Boris Pokotilov of Russia 6-4, 6-2 in his opening game.

Santillan is the defending champion of the Canada Open's junior event, having won both the singles and doubles titles in 2014.

It is the first time a Vietnamese player has advanced to the second round of the tournament. Previously, Nguyen Hoang Thien had a chance to play at Melbourne Park in 2010, but was eliminated in the first round.

In the boys' doubles, Nam paired with Christian Sigsgaard lost 6-3, 5-7, 8-10 to No 7 seeds Lloyd George Harris and Juan Jose Rosas.

VNS