Alexander Bublik Wins on Debut at BOCHKTO 2026, Shang Upsets Sonego, Seeds Khachanov and Muller Fall

Alexander Bublik eased past Botic van de Zandschulp in a stunning debut at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open ('BOCHKTO') 2026. The second seed showed no sign of jetlag having only arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday, and put together a tidy performance to dispose of the Dutchman, 6-3, 6-3.

The tennis athlete Alexander Bublik serves his way to victory against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in his Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open debut, Photo source: BOCHKTO

After a mental and physical reset in the first half of 2025, the 28-year-old returned to the tour to win four titles, reached his first ever quarterfinals at the French Open, and the fourth round at the US Open. These impressive results propelled Bublik to a career high ranking of no. 11 in the world.

Alexander Bublik, Photo source: BOCHKTO

The Kazakhstani said: "I felt relaxed. It is always a challenge at the start of the season as you need to get used to new conditions. I was practising indoors for a month before coming here, but I felt great on the court today. It is one of the fastest I have played on the tour, but the atmosphere is great. The conditions are fine for me, as I was coming from -20C. I like playing in Hong Kong, I like this city.”

Jerry Shang Juncheng is all smiles after beating no. 6 seed Lorenzo Sonego to reach the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 quarterfinals, Photo source: BOCHKTO

15th National Games silver medallist Jerry Shang Juncheng followed Coleman Wong's heroics with a confident win over no. 5 seed Lorenzo Sonego to reach the quarterfinals. The 20-year-old's speed and all round game was too much for Sonego as he dismantled the Italian, 6-3, 6-4. Shang will face Bublik next in.

Shang's win makes it two Chinese players in the quarterfinals for the first time at BOCHKTO, and first time since the 2024 Hangzhou Open.

Jerry Shang Juncheng stretches for a forehand during his second round match at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 against Lorenzo Sonego, Photo source: BOCHKTO

Shang commented: “Three times I have played here and I have played well each time. I am trying to go for more and play better tennis. Overall, the confidence is coming back and I am playing more freely and relaxed. Lorenzo plays amazing tennis, he was on the verge of the top 20 in the world, so this was a good win for me. I am playing positively, and that's what I like. I am happy to play at Victoria Park in front of these amazing fans. The conditions have been tough, sometimes hot, sometimes freezing, but I am healthy, and that's the main thing.”

Lorenzo Sonego was outclassed by Jerry Shang Juncheng in their second round match at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026, Photo source: BOCHKTO

Karen Khachanov loses his first match at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026, falling to American Michael Mmoh. Photo source: BOCHKTO

Michael Mmoh hits a forehand volley on his way to a straight sets victory over no. 4 seed Karen Khachanov, Photo source: BOCHKTO

Three seeds fell today. Following Sonego's defeat by Shang, Karen Khachanov, the no. 4 seed, lost to giant killing qualifier Michael Mmoh 7-6(2), 7-6(4) in their last 16 match. The American beat the no. 1 and 6 seeds in qualifying to make the main draw, and continued his run with a win over Alejandro Tabilo in the first round proper. With a win over Khachanov, Mmoh earns the right to play Giron for a place in the last four.

Alexandre Muller returns a backhand against Macros Giron during his second round match at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open. Photo source: BOCHKTO

No. 7 seed Alexandre Muller was also sent packing. The defending champion was eliminated by American Macros Giron 6-4, 7-6(4) on Court One.

Coleman Wong Chak-lam & Gabriel Diallo upset no. 2 seeds in the quarterfinals at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026. Photo source: BOCHKTO

Wong's busy schedule at BОСНКТО 2026 continued today as he returned to the court for a doubles quarterfinals match with the player he beat in singles yesterday, Gabriel Diallo. The pair did not show any sign of weariness from their gruelling two-hour-and-twenty-nine-minute battle, and grinded out a gutsy win over second seeds Constantin Frantzen and Robin Haase 7-6(4), 6-7(5), (10-8).

All four quarterfinals will take place tomorrow, Friday 9 January. Wong takes on top seed Lorenzo Musetti in the day's opening match at 1:30pm as he looks for his first ATP Tour semifinal. The pair met at BOCHKTO two years ago with the Italian coming through in two tough sets, 6-4, 7-5. Rublev who beat 15th National Games Men's Singles Champion Wu Yibing will be next on to play Nuno Borges. The Portuguese no. 1 ended the run of former world no. 3 and 2014 US Open Champion Marin Cilic in the previous round. The all-American clash between Giron and Mmoh will be the last match on Centre Court tomorrow, after Shang plays Bublik that starts at 6pm.

The Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia's sports event capital. The “M” Mark status is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee symbolizing intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory sports calendar.

With total prize money exceeding US$780,000, BOCHKΤΟ 2026 takes place at the iconic Victoria Park Tennis Centre Court from today to 11 January. Tickets are on sale via Ticketflap website with prices ranging from HK$370 to HK$1,610

PARIS (AP) — Their legs don’t move as fast on the red clay. They recover more slowly. But the French public still loves them just as much.

Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils have been involved in some of the most memorable matches in recent Roland Garros history. The two veterans are back at the French Open for a final dance at the Grand Slam tournament after announcing they will retire at the end of the season.

Both players have slipped down the rankings. A three-time Grand Slam champion, the 41-year-old Wawrinka won the title in 2015 and is now ranked No. 119. Aged 39, Monfils reached the semifinals in Paris in 2008 and made it to the quarterfinals on three other occasions. He is No. 221 and has received a wild card to play in Paris.

Renowned for his spectacular style of play, fighting spirit and remarkable physical ability, Monfils is a crowd favorite at his home Grand Slam tournament, where, like Wawrinka, he debuted more than 20 years ago. “La Monf” has rarely disappointed his Paris fans, even if he's never matched the feat of Yannick Noah, the last Frenchman to win Roland Garros — in 1983.

Not only the fans love Monfils.

“I don’t know anyone that really doesn’t like Gael,” 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic said on Friday. “One of my favorite players to watch. Incredible athleticism. I’m looking forward seeing him perform his last Roland Garros here.”

Since 2005, Monfils has amassed a 40-17 record at the clay-court tournament, which starts Sunday. He faces compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round

Three years ago, he arrived in Roland Garros coming back from heel surgery, ranked No. 394 and without a Grand Slam match win in more than a year. He battled Sebastian Baez for nearly four hours on Court Philippe Chatrier before beating the Argentine in an epic first-round match.

The script was even more dramatic last year when he recovered from two-sets-to-love down against Hugo Dellien to become the player with the most five-set match victories on the clay courts of Roland Garros (12) in the Open era.

“I was not strong enough to win a Grand Slam” Monfils told his fans during a tribute at Roland Garros this week. “But I perhaps won more. I won a career that I’m proud of.”

Ukrainian player Elena Svitolina, who married Monfils in 2021, expects her husband to relish his final outing at Roland Garros.

“For him having a French crowd is something that he always dreamed when he was a little kid to play the big matches, to play together,” Svitolina said. “They carry you through the matches. I think for the past years he experienced something amazing. He always remembers that. For him will be a lot of nerves, but I think he already settled (a) little bit down with it. Just going to enjoy and give it his best shot, the last one.”

Wawrinka, nicknamed “Stan the Man,” appeals to the French crowd in many ways. His down-to-earth, no-holds-barred way of speaking immediately resonates with the Parisian public — his native tongue is French — while his immaculate one-handed backhand still captivates the game’s purists.

“I grew up on clay, grew up watching clay-court specialists, I grew up watching Roland Garros dreaming about maybe playing one day. It is part of me,” Wawrinka said in an interview with French Open organizers.

Wawrinka is set for his 21st appearance at Roland Garros. He faces rising French star Arthur Fils, the 17th seed, in the first round.

Wawrinka's stunning 2015 run, when he defeated Djokovic in the final after downing Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, is fondly remembered by tennis aficionados.

“Actually, I didn’t arrive that year confident, entering matches knowing I could win,” said Wawrinka, the former world No. 3 who also reached the final in 2017. “On the court, I just stayed in the moment and found my best tennis. It couldn’t have been more special, especially with that level of play against Novak.”

His fans also did not forget the pink-checkered shorts he wore that year.

“It’s just like everybody talk about that shorts,” Wawrinka said after his win. “I quite like them. Apparently I’m the only one. They will be in the museum of Roland Garros. You will see my shorts every day if you want.”

Whether the (in)famous shorts make one final appearance on court this year remains to be seen.

“One needs to ask the museum, I'm not sure if they need to be cleaned beforehand,” Wawrinka joked during his pre-tournament press conference. “I had not planned that, I'll think about it before Monday.”

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Stan Wawrinka, from Switzerland, returns a ball to Alex Michelsen, of the United States, during a round of 16 match at the Geneva Open tennis tournament in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)

FILE - Gael Monfils of France plays a forehand return to Dane Sweeny of Australia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland serves a ball during a training session at the ATP 250 Geneva Open tournament, in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)