Hoang Nam Ly Stuns World No. 4 Christian Alshon to Reach MB Hanoi Cup Quarterfinals
Hometown bet Hoang Nam Ly delivered the defining moment of the PPA Asia Tour’s MB Hanoi Cup 2026 so far, pulling off a stunning upset over world No. 4 Christian Alshon to book his place in the Men’s Singles quarterfinals.
On a day that showcased both grit and composure, the Vietnamese standout rose to the occasion against an opponent widely considered superior on paper. What unfolded was a match of the highest quality—and one that firmly announced Hoang Nam’s arrival on the professional pickleball stage.
Across three tightly contested sets, Hoang Nam Ly displayed remarkable control and nerve, particularly in the key moments. Even more impressive was his resilience late in the match. Hampered by an apparent injury and visibly limping during the closing stages of the third set, he refused to yield, grinding out a 2–1 victory that drew roaring support from the home crowd.
The result does more than send him into the last eight. It serves as a strong statement for Vietnamese pickleball, underlining the growing capability of its players against elite international competition.
Truong Vinh Hien Shines, But Trinh Linh Giang Crashes Out
Hoang Nam Ly was not the only bright spot for the hosts.
Young talent Truong Vinh Hien continued his impressive run, following up his round-of-32 victory over Yuta Funemizu with a commanding straight-sets win against Japan’s Kenta Miyoshi in the round of 16. His sharp attacking play and consistency have quickly made him one of the standout performers of the tournament—and a genuine contender as the competition progresses.
Not all results went Vietnam’s way, however.
Trinh Linh Giang, one of the country’s top names, bowed out in the round of 16 after a 0–2 defeat to Dylan Frazier. Despite the loss, Linh Giang had earlier provided a measure of optimism by reaching the main draw in men’s doubles alongside Vanshik Kapadia, raising hopes of a deep run.
Elsewhere, Vietnamese pairs Dac Tien and Quoc Khanh, as well as Dat Tro and Trieu Cau Long, were also eliminated early, highlighting the unforgiving nature of the tournament. Widely regarded as the “Grand Slam” of pickleball in the region, the Hanoi Cup continues to test even the most promising players.
Attention now shifts to the quarterfinals on 3 April at the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena, where the level is only expected to rise.
For Hoang Nam Ly, in particular, the challenge intensifies—but so too does the belief.
