Young tennis star loses bid to turn pro

Vietnam’s young tennis hopeful Nguyen Hoang Thien has suffered another setback in his bid to become a player on the professional circuit.

Thien, who is playing in the main draw via a wild card, was defeated in two straight sets (6-3, 6-2) by Indonesian top-seed Christopher Rungkat in the first round at the F2 Futures Tennis Tournament in HCM City.

This is his second first-round loss, following a first-round exit at F1 Futures one week ago.

Thien has not won any point for an ATP ranking, which requires him to reach a certain number before becoming eligible for the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour.

Another young player, Ly Hoang Nam, who also had a wild card, lost to Rohan Gajjar of India in two straight sets.

Do Minh Quan is the only remaining Vietnamese player in the second round.

The tournament will end on April 15.