Ly Hoang Nam entered the Top 3 Asian pickleball

Pickleball player Ly Hoang Nam made history when he officially joined the Top 3 strongest players in Asia after a convincing 2-0 victory over his compatriot Truong Vinh Hien in the third-place match at the PPA Malaysia Cup.

Ly Hoang Nam officially entered the Top 3 Asian pickleball. Photo: FB

This achievement not only brought Hoang Nam 900 points on the Asian rankings but also recorded 600 points on the US ranking system, putting him in the Top 50 strongest players in the world . This is a proud milestone, affirming the position of Vietnamese pickleball in the international arena.

At the PPA Malaysia Cup, Ly Hoang Nam showed impressive form, although he could not overcome world number one Christian Alshon in the Pro men's singles semi-final on the morning of September 27. This match witnessed a dramatic confrontation between Hoang Nam and Alshon - a player born in 2000, who was the NCAA Division III tennis champion before switching to pickleball and quickly dominating the sport .

With his long reach and excellent net control, Alshon dominated the first set, leading 10-3. However, Hoang Nam was not shaken, resiliently saving three match points and scoring four consecutive points, forcing his opponent to ask for a time-out. However, Alshon still ended the first set with a score of 11-7 thanks to a lucky shot.

In the second set, Hoang Nam changed his strategy, actively rushing the net and controlling the ball, forcing Alshon to move constantly. The two players fought fiercely, with the score tied at 5-5 after the match was interrupted for three minutes to clean the wet court. However, Alshon took advantage of his strength and dangerous hitting ability to overcome, winning 11-7, ending the match with a final score of 2-0. After the match, both players were exhausted and collapsed on the court. Alshon did not hesitate to praise: "My opponent today was so resilient. I am very happy with this victory."

Despite stopping in the semi-finals, the victory over Truong Vinh Hien in the third-place match helped Ly Hoang Nam consolidate his position in the Top 3 of Asia, a remarkable achievement in the context of pickleball developing strongly in the region. Truong Vinh Hien's previous match also left him with regrets when he suffered a 0-2 defeat against Hong Kit Wong (Hong Kong) due to the effects of injury, which limited his ability to move and execute dangerous shots.

The PPA Malaysia Cup brings together top players from the US, Australia, China, Vietnam and many other countries, giving Asian players the chance to compete with big names like Ben Johns, Kaitlyn Christian and Christian Alshon. The tournament is not only about points but also an opportunity to test the strength of Asian pickleball against top opponents from the US.

Ly Hoang Nam’s chance to continue improving his ranking is coming closer as Vietnam prepares to host the MB Vietnam Cup at Tien Son Sports Palace, Da Nang from September 30 to October 4. This is the first time a PPA Tour Asia event has been held in Vietnam, bringing together 120 players, including top stars such as Ben Johns, Tyson McGuffin, Christian Alshon and Kaitlyn Christian. With home ground advantage and stable performance, Ly Hoang Nam is expected to continue to break through the global PPA rankings.

According to Sports and Culture

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/the-thao-24h/ly-hoang-nam-lot-vao-top-3-pickleball-chau-a-20250927082824799.htm