Wong defeated Adam Walton of Australia in four sets in a three-hour match early Friday morning Hong Kong time.
He told reporters after the match that he was super tired as he had never played four sets before, but he was playing without any pressure.
“I’m swinging it and I’m feeling good. I’m feeling this is my first main draw, first best-of-five, first everything… for me, for Hong Kong and for my team, so everything is very new. So no pressure,” he said.
Wong will next play 15th seed Andrey Rublev.
“He [Rublev] kills the ball, he literally just destroys it. I just want to go out there, enjoy… I’m in the third round of US Open, so I don’t need to think so much. I just want to go out and enjoy the atmosphere, to feel the vibe, and feel what the US Open can give me,” Wong said.
He also thanked his supporters, particularly those in the crowd at Flushing Meadows.
“I hope you’ll keep cheering me on. Every word of encouragement pushes me to keep going, especially during tough moments,” he added.
The player’s former agent and doubles partner at the Davis Cup next month, Kevin Wong, told RTHK that the victory in New York is a boost for local athletes.
“I think Coleman’s success not only impacts the sports industry, but it impacts everyone in Hong Kong. Everyone wakes up and sees the news. I think it’s all over Hong Kong today. So it doesn’t just affect the sports industry, but everyone. I think it gives a very positive day or very positive vibes to everyone in Hong Kong with something that Hong Kong people can be proud of,” he said.
“For the sports industry even more because I think it makes athletes from different sports from Hong Kong kind of believe in themselves more, knowing that even everyone could make an impact in the world and on the world’s biggest stage.”