Bublik Blazes to the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open, Musetti Doubles Delight

Alexander Bublik has won the Men's Singles Championship at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open (‘BOCHKΤΟ΄) 2026 after defeating top seed Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, 7-6(2), 6-3.

Mr. Mark Woodforde, Mr. Oscar Chow, Mr. Sun Yu, Mr. Kenneth Fok, Miss Rosanna Law, Mr. Alexander Bublik, Mr. Lorenzo Musetti, Mr. Michael Cheng, Mr. Wilfred Ng, Mr. Ed Hardisty, Mr. Roland Herfel, Mr. Pat Cash pose for photos at the Bank of China Hong K

The seeding went according to plan this week as the tournament's top two reached the final to compete for a confidence boosting first title of the season. Both players came out firing with neither looking like they were feeling the effects of their respective three-set semifinals yesterday. The pair were neck-and-neck until the Tie-break when the Kazakhstani ran away with it with a 7-2 scoreline.

Alexander Bublik celebrates his first title of the season

The pair traded breaks early on in the second but the world no. 11 went up a gear to win the second set 6-3, and the ATP Tour season opener crown.

Alexander Bublik hits a back hand volley

Bublik came back in the second half of 2025 after a mental and physical reset. He was quick to find his rhythm and made the French Open quarterfinals and US Open fourth round for the first time. He then won four titles between July and September, sending him to the edge of the top 10.

The ecstatic Champion said:

"It feels great, I am a bit overwhelmed with what I have achieved. This is my ninth title and to make the top 10 here in Hong Kong makes it very special. We will now relax a bit, celebrate and think about my next goal. My goal was to be top 10 but I achieved that here, so I now need to figure out my next career milestone.

When my ranking dropped last year, I realised I didn't want to be there. I knew I had to play more and relax less. This week, I felt I played better with each match. I felt I played a great match against Jerry (Shang Juncheng), which gave me a lot of confidence.

Lorenzo is a great player, no. 5 from tomorrow, and to beat him here is very satisfying."

Lorenzo Musetti battled gamely

Lorenzo Musetti slices a backhand

Musetti battled gamely but just couldn't stay with Bublik's power and accuracy in the second. His runner-up finish this year is an improvement on his quarterfinal 12 months ago. He took some consolation in the doubles when he teamed up with Lorenzo Sonego to beat Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov 6-4, 2-6 (10-1) in an entertaining doubles final. For the second year in a row, Rublev and Khachanov have had to settle for second best.

Lorenzo Musetti & Lorenzo Sonego and Andrey Rublev & Karen Khachanov pose for photos

Lorenzo Musetti & Lorenzo Sonego celebrate winning their first doubles title

The Italian no. 1 seed commented:

“It was obviously a disappointment for me to lose the singles final but Sasha (Bublik) played well. It was very close and I know I am at that (top 10) level. I have got to keep my head up, and take chances when I have them. And to win my first doubles title with my friend, I am really happy."

Sellout crowd on Finals Day

Tournament Village popular with fans

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.

Autonomous driving technology is advancing rapidly, with the potential to boost traffic efficiency and improve road safety. To promote the technology in Hong Kong, the Transport Department has issued six autonomous vehicle pilot licences since 2024, allowing operators to conduct road tests in designated areas.

The first licence was granted to an intelligent driving technology company with more than a decade of experience in autonomous driving research and development. The firm has deployed its technology in 22 cities, spanning the Mainland and the United Arab Emirates.

The first licensed technology company has conducted road tests in North Lantau, Cyberport and the Kai Tak Development Area, achieving more than 80,000km of safe driving.

Since receiving its licence in November 2024, the company has been testing across North Lantau, Cyberport and the Kai Tak Development Area. By utilising vehicle-mounted sensors, the company has collected data over more than 80,000km of safe driving.

Last month, the company began conducting cross-district tests in Kwun Tong and Kowloon City. Despite the high density of both vehicles and pedestrians in urban areas, the autonomous vehicles have maintained steady speeds, signalled and overtaken safely, and have even made smooth U-turns on narrow roads with the help of algorithms.

During the tests, a driver remains onboard as a backup operator, only taking control of the vehicle when necessary. The vehicles have typically operated with the driver's hands off the wheel during routine travel.

During testing, drivers keep their hands off the steering wheel and only take control of the vehicle when necessary.

System optimisation

The company’s Hong Kong Project Development Manager Nick Lau explained that as one of the most densely networked cities in the world, Hong Kong has complex and dynamic road conditions. The system has been optimised to comply with local traffic rules.

"Hong Kong is a right-hand-drive market. Our system has to fine-tune driving actions like stopping, overtaking and picking lanes so the vehicles handle right-side driving accurately. Second, there are conventional and spiral roundabouts in Hong Kong, which are different from those in other places. With strict traffic guidelines in play, our system has to learn these details to avoid any risks or violations,” he said.

Mr Lau also highlighted the challenges posed by unique traffic signals and temporary signs, such as hand-operated “Stop” and “Go” ones, which make recognition more difficult.

"We are continuing to fine-tune our machine-learning models to improve precision in these situations," he added.

Intelligent Driving Technology Company Hong Kong Project Development Manager Nick Lau says the system has been optimised to comply with local traffic rules and conditions.

Technological advancements

Transport Department Electrical & Mechanical Engineer (Autonomous Vehicle) Ken Tang said that testing has progressed smoothly, with all vehicles maintaining stable performance.

Among the trials, the tests in North Lantau have achieved significant technological progress in four key areas: scaling the trials from a single vehicle to 10 vehicles operating simultaneously; designated passenger-carrying trials; expanded test area; and higher speeds.

"Trial routes for autonomous vehicles have steadily expanded, progressing beyond Airport Island to more complex highways and diverse communities. As the autonomous driving system has improved, vehicle speeds have gradually increased up to 50km per hour, depending on the posted speed limits of the relevant test sections," he said.

Transport Department Electrical & Mechanical Engineer (Autonomous Vehicle) Ken Tang (right) says the tests in North Lantau have achieved four key breakthroughs: multi-vehicle operation, designated passenger-carrying trials, expanded test area and higher speeds.

The Transport Department has issued six pilot licences, covering 62 autonomous private cars and light buses being tested in various trial areas.

This year, it will progressively implement driverless operation of autonomous vehicles using only remote backup operators.

Based on the regular reports submitted by autonomous vehicle pilot operators, the department said it will review testing performance and safety, and require operators to conduct strict vehicle inspections to ensure the tests are performed in a safe and orderly manner.