Hometown wager Hoang Nam Ly delivered the defining second of the PPA Asia Tour’s MB Hanoi Cup 2026 to this point, pulling off a surprising upset over world No. 4 Christian Alshon to ebook his place within the Males’s Singles quarterfinals.
On a day that showcased each grit and composure, the Vietnamese standout rose to the event in opposition to an opponent broadly thought of superior on paper. What unfolded was a match of the very best high quality—and one which firmly introduced Hoang Nam’s arrival on the skilled pickleball stage.
Throughout three tightly contested units, Hoang Nam Ly displayed outstanding management and nerve, significantly in the important thing moments. Much more spectacular was his resilience late within the match. Hampered by an obvious damage and visibly limping throughout the closing levels of the third set, he refused to yield, grinding out a 2–1 victory that drew roaring assist from the house crowd.
The outcome does greater than ship him into the final eight. It serves as a powerful assertion for Vietnamese pickleball, underlining the rising functionality of its gamers in opposition to elite worldwide competitors.
Truong Vinh Hien Shines, However Trinh Linh Giang Crashes Out
Hoang Nam Ly was not the one vivid spot for the hosts.
Younger expertise Truong Vinh Hien continued his spectacular run, following up his round-of-32 victory over Yuta Funemizu with a commanding straight-sets win in opposition to Japan’s Kenta Miyoshi within the spherical of 16. His sharp attacking play and consistency have rapidly made him one of many standout performers of the match—and a real contender because the competitors progresses.
Not all outcomes went Vietnam’s manner, nonetheless.
Trinh Linh Giang, one of many nation’s prime names, bowed out within the spherical of 16 after a 0–2 defeat to Dylan Frazier. Regardless of the loss, Linh Giang had earlier offered a measure of optimism by reaching the principle attract males’s doubles alongside Vanshik Kapadia, elevating hopes of a deep run.
Elsewhere, Vietnamese pairs Dac Tien and Quoc Khanh, in addition to Dat Tro and Trieu Cau Lengthy, have been additionally eradicated early, highlighting the unforgiving nature of the match. Extensively thought to be the “Grand Slam” of pickleball within the area, the Hanoi Cup continues to check even probably the most promising gamers.
Consideration now shifts to the quarterfinals on 3 April on the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Area, the place the extent is just anticipated to rise.
For Hoang Nam Ly, particularly, the problem intensifies—however so too does the idea.
