Hong Kong: Bublik claims title and Top 10 debut; Musetti secures new Top 5 high
Alexander Bublik won the title on Sunday night against Lorenzo Musetti
Alexander Bublik and Lorenzo Musetti, Hong Kong 2026 | © @Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open.
Kazakh Alexander Bublik, the second seed, won the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open final by beating Italian Lorenzo Musetti, the top seed, 7-6 (2), 6-3 on Sunday.
With this victory – the ninth trophy of his professional career and his 16th win over a Top 10 opponent – Bublik secures a spot in the ATP Top 10 for the first time. Bublik is now officially the first Kazakhstani man in history to break into the Top 10.
Musetti is also making major strides in the rankings, reaching the Top 5 following his deep run in Hong Kong and the loss of points by Alex De Minaur and Félix Auger-Aliassime at the United Cup. He is only the third Italian man in history to reach the Top 5 (joining Adriano Panatta and Jannik Sinner). On another hand, it was Musetti’s 7th consecutive loss in an ATP final. He has not lifted a trophy since Naples in October 2022.
Bublik : “both a bit shaky”
“It was a really, really tough match,” Bublik said to a full press room after the final. “I guess a few points decided the first set. There were really few mistakes from both ends. I was lucky with the serve in the important moments when he had break points. So the first set was really a story of a few points making the difference, and the second set was a bit more physical as we started having longer rallies because the temperature went down and the balls became slower.”
“We were both a bit shaky, losing our serves, but then I just probably played more solid in a certain moment. I got a little bit luckier. Really, very few points decided the match.” These details : Bublik served 10 aces and saving 2 out of 3 break points.
Bublik now leads Musetti 4-1 in their professional head-to-head meetings. This was their first meeting in a final and their first high-stakes encounter on outdoor hard courts in over two years (since Adelaide 2024).
Bublik, ranked No 11 before the tournament, defeated American Marcos Giron (3-6, 6-4, 6-2), Chinese wildcard Juncheng Shang (6-1, 7-6 (2)) and Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (6-3, 6-3) ahead of his victory.
“I also have lost a lot of finals in my life, Bublik said about Musetti after the match. I know how it feels. But these finals that you lost are going to lead to some very big moments in your career. I’m sure you’re gonna win something you cannot even dream about now. I wish you all the success. I wish you’re gonna win a very big title very soon. You deserve it.”
During the second set, there was a decisive physical factor that impacted the rhythm of the match. Musetti required treatment from the physiotherapist on his right arm.
Bublik : “Hong Kong will always be a special place in my heart”
“For me”, Bublik continued, “it’s not just another title, it’s my first time entering the top 10. Hong Kong will always be a special place in my heart because that will be the moment when I entered something I could never even imagine I would. I’m being honest with you. If you told me at the beginning of my career or last April that I’m gonna be standing here #10 in the world, I probably wouldn’t believe you.”
