Coleman Wong Chak-lam said mixing with elite-level players at this week’s Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open has helped him in his quest to break into the world’s top 100 this year.

The best tennis player in Hong Kong by some distance, Wong is currently world No 170, after climbing to 128 in September. He lost a close encounter to hot mainland Chinese prospect Jerry Shang Juncheng in the first round, but insisted his display in two tight sets with the world No 50 showed he was “not so far away” from the leading lights.

And Wong said rubbing shoulders with the quality names in this week’s Hong Kong draw had “made it much clearer what I need to do to get into the top 100”.

“I need to play against these players more,” the 20-year-old said. “I have trained with guys like [former world No 4] Kei Nishikori here. Doing drills with the top players, and talking to them, has been a really good experience.”

Former French Open champion Michael Chang suggested Wong needed the right off-court guidance to ensure he fulfilled his potential.

Primarily coached by James Allemby, Wong also receives support from Toni Nadal, the uncle and former coach of recently retired 22-times grand-slam winner Rafael Nadal, and other staff from the Rafa Nadal Coaching Academy in Spain.