Hangzhou Open 2025: Vietnam’s Hoang Nam Ly Sends Federico Staksrud Packing in Men’s Singles
Vietnam’s Hoang Nam Ly has just pulled off the shocker of shockers on Friday, besting world no. 2 and presumptive title favourite Federico Staksrud, 2-0 (11-8, 12-10), in the semifinals of the Hangzhou Open 2025.
Ly, who is currently ranked no. 3 in the PPA Tour Asia, played arguably his finest game of pickleball, leaning on his precise shot-making, tenacity, and high-octane rushes at the net to stun the highly favoured Argentinian in the very first set.
Seemingly reeling, Staksrud tried to match Ly’s ferocity in a nip-and-tuck, back-and-forth second set. The Vietnamese pickleball star, however, showed immense grace under pressure in the face of Staksrud’s pressure and proved steadier in an exciting endgame to pull out the upset win.
The 28-year-old Ly will take on Hong Kong’s Jack Wong Hong-kit in the Men’s Singles Finals of the Hangzhou Open 2025. Hong-kit, the no. 1 player in the PPA Tour, had earlier pulled off a similar stunner, beating world no. 3 Connor Garnett in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Ly and Hong-kit will dispute the all-Asia gold-medal match on Saturday. Ly will be looking to add a fifth podium finish in the PPA Tour Asia after winning silver in the MB Vietnam Open 2025, and bronze in the MB Vietnam Cup 2025, Panas Malaysia Cup, and Hong Kong Open 2025. Hong-kit will try to add to his medal haul, which currently consists of a gold medal in the Hong Kong Open, a silver medal in the Panas Malaysia Cup, and bronze medals in the Sansan Fukuoka Open and Panas Malaysia Cup.
