Dimitrov Returns to Form in Brisbane as Wong Makes History for Hong Kong

Dimitrov's Brisbane comeback

Grigor Dimitrov signaled a strong return to form at the Brisbane 250 event, delivering a convincing victory over Pablo Carreño Busta with a 6-3, 6-2 scoreline in their first-round clash. The Bulgarian, stepping back from a chest muscle issue that sidelined him since Wimbledon, looked sharper and more aggressive, a sign that his off-season work is paying off. He later credited the supportive crowd and the challenging build-up for helping him rediscover his competitive edge.

Following the win, Dimitrov emphasized the mental hurdles he has overcome and the relief of again being able to compete at a high level. He noted that the past few months demanded resilience, and while victory in Brisbane is only a step, it is a meaningful one on the road back to peak form.

Meanwhile, Australian hope Rinky Hijikata advanced as well, dispatching a fellow countryman in straight sets. The match showcased Hijikata's growing consistency and his willingness to play with pace, which bodes well for his Brisbane campaign as he eyes a deeper run in the draw.

Hong Kong makes history and other results

In a historic milestone for Hong Kong tennis, Coleman Wong became the first player from the territory to win a match in this tournament, edging Mariano Navone 6-3, 7-5. The 21-year-old, who received a wildcard, ended a two-game losing streak in the opening rounds and will face Canadian Gabriel Diallo in the next round, a clash that will put Wong’s momentum under the spotlight even more.

The defending champion Alexander Muller continued his solid run with a straight-sets victory over Miomir Kecmanovic (7-5, 6-4). He is slated to meet American Marcus Giron in the next round, keeping his title defense firmly in the mix as the tournament progresses.

Other notable results from the day included Lorenzo Sonego and Tomas Martín Etcheverry advancing, with Sonego defeating a Japanese challenger Ry Sakimoto (6-2, 7-6) and Etcheverry overcoming Valentin Royer (6-4, 7-5). Lorenzo Musetti faces an upcoming challenge as the draw starts to open up, while Francesco Comisano and others also posted early wins.

In the doubles-like shuffle of the first round, Jiang Junjin and several others posted wins, and notable performances from Botic van de Zandschulp and Michael Mmoh added to the day’s intrigue with tight, competitive sets and dramatic momentum shifts.

As the action builds, the Brisbane crowd gets treated to a blend of veteran resilience and new-gen ambition, with many players using this 250-point stop as a springboard for momentum into the season. The bar is set; the balls are flying; and the jokes about who brought the sunscreen will probably overshadow the rallies—until the next match, of course.

Punchline time: If Dimitrov keeps lifting the lid on his injury woes, we might need a new medicine cabinet for the tour. And if Wong keeps breaking new ground for Hong Kong, the trophy might start charging for travel just to cross the ocean for him. See you in the next round—where the real racket science begins!