In the final, Vinh Hien faced Japan's Nasa Hatakeyama. Contrary to pre-match predictions, the Vietnamese player completely dominated, controlling the game with precise ball placement and rapid attacks. He easily won the first set 11-2.
In the second set, Hatakeyama attempted a more defensive strategy but could not turn the tide. Vinh Hien maintained his precision, capitalizing on serves to build a 6-0 lead. The match remained firmly in the Vietnamese player's control. Despite Hatakeyama scoring three points, Vinh Hien comfortably secured the 11-3 victory.
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Truong Vinh Hien lifts the PPA Asia Kuala Lumpur Open 2026 trophy on 17/5. Photo: FBNV
This marks Vinh Hien's first PPA Asia tour championship where he did not drop a single set throughout the tournament. He won all his group stage matches, defeated Mitchell Hargreaves from Australia in the quarterfinals, and then fellow countryman Hung Anh in the semifinals, both with a 2-0 score.
The 22-year-old Vinh Hien, a former tennis athlete, previously represented Vietnam in the Davis Cup qualifiers. He later transitioned to pickleball, where he has consistently achieved success. During the inaugural Asia Pickleball Championship held in Vietnam in 4/2024, he simultaneously secured one gold medal in mixed doubles, one silver medal in men's doubles, and one bronze medal in the individual category.
In 2025, Vinh Hien won the PPA Tour Australia and was runner-up at the PPA Da Nang tour. In 2026, he also finished second at the PPA Ha Noi tournament. He frequently partners with senior player Do Minh Quan, and together they have achieved numerous accolades in domestic competitions.
The PPA Asia Kuala Lumpur Open took place from 13-17/5/2026 at 9Pickle in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event featured approximately 600 athletes competing in various professional and amateur categories, with a total prize pool of 50.000 USD. Besides Vinh Hien, other Vietnamese players participated, including Trinh Linh Giang, Nguyen Hung Anh, and Do Minh Quan.
In other categories, Vietnamese-American player Alix Truong won the mixed doubles title, partnering with "prodigy" Tama Shimabukuro. Earlier in the tournament, Alix Truong and Chao Yi Wang secured the runner-up position in women's doubles.
Duc Dong
