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.

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong International Airport respectively yesterday (May 21) and today (May 22), and seized a total of about 21.8 kilograms of assorted drugs with a total estimated market value of about $7.95 million. Two men and one woman, aged between 38 and 49, were arrested.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman in Tseung Kwan O during an anti-narcotics operation yesterday afternoon. About 3.8kg of suspected drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine, etomidate capsules, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia were found in their residence in the same district. They were then arrested.

In the second case, a 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase and 33 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 23), while an investigation is ongoing for the second case.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases