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

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Jannik Sinner sat out the Miami Open a year ago as he served a three-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.

Now the 24-year-old Italian is on the verge of winning his second Miami Open title in three years and becoming the first male to win the “Sunshine Double’’ since Roger Federer in 2017.

The second-ranked Sinner roared into the Miami Open final with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over No. 4 Alexander Zverev on Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium.

“Coming here and trying to produce some good tennis was my main goal, and standing here again in the final means very much to me,” Sinner said. “It has been an incredible swing and I couldn’t be better. I’m very happy."

Sinner, who served 15 aces, has beaten Zverev seven straight times and has won a record 32 straight sets at an ATP Masters 1000. A hardcourt dynamo, Sinner captured the first leg of the Sunshine Double on March 15 when he topped Daniel Medvedev in Indian Wells.

Sinner will be a heavy favorite when he faces 21st-seeded Jiri Lehecka in Sunday’s final. Sinner has won 11 straight matches in Miami dating to 2024. He captured the 2024 Miami Open but wasn’t allowed to defend his title.

Nevertheless, Zverev was the crowd favorite, particularly drawing loud cheers on points he won in the second set.

When the 6-foot-6 German got up a break point leading 4-3 in the second set, the stadium was awash in noise. But Zverev couldn’t pull it off, hitting a backhand into the net as Sinner escaped. In the second-set tiebreaker, Sinner lost the first point but pounded two straight aces to lead 2-1 and soon it was over after a Zverev service return sailed long.

Sinner notched his first-set break at 2-1. Off a long rally, he came in and smashed an overhead winner for break point, then looped a lovely forehand winner down the line to make it 3-1.

Sinner has a 3-0 career record against Lehecka, beating him last at the 2025 French Open.

Lehecka advanced to the biggest ATP final of his rising career by routing 28th seed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-2 in the early semifinal. Lehecka’s Czech countryman, Jakub Mensik, won the Miami Open last year.

Lehecka will make his first appearance in an ATP Masters 1000 final.

“Today was a great match,’’ Lehecka said. “Definitely brought me a lot of confidence going into the Sunday final. I must say that it was one of the better matches that I played in my life,’’

Lehecka, 24, broke Fils in the opening game and the outcome never seemed in doubt. On match point, Lehecka served an ace and raised his arms. Lehecka finished with six aces, no doubles faults and didn’t face a break point. He hasn’t been broken in the tournament.

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

Alexander Zverev of Germany reacts to a missed point against Jannik Sinner of Italy during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, right, hugs Arthur Fils of France, after winning in their semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic celebrates after winning a semifinal match against Arthur Fils of France, at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic shouts as he celebrates after winning a semifinal match against Arthur Fils of France, at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)