The 2026 Hong Kong Tennis Open has reached a fever pitch as Day 5 unfolds, with the men’s singles draw narrowing and the competition only getting fiercer. On the heels of a dramatic fourth day, which saw Lorenzo Musetti, Marin Cilic, and local favorite Coleman Wong secure their spots in the quarterfinals, the tournament’s Round of 16 is set to conclude with a slate of compelling matchups. Tennis fans in Hong Kong and around the world are glued to their screens, eager to see which players will rise to the occasion and which will see their title dreams dashed.
Day 4 delivered plenty of thrills and upsets. Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian prodigy, showcased his tenacity in a hard-fought victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry. After dropping the first set in a tense tiebreak, Musetti rallied to win 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-4, punching his ticket to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s own Coleman Wong sparked the home crowd with a gutsy comeback against Gabriel Diallo, prevailing 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 in a match that had fans on the edge of their seats. These results set the stage for an even more dramatic Day 5, where the remaining contenders—among them Lorenzo Sonego, Karen Khachanov, Michael Mmoh, Alexandre Muller, Marcos Giron, Shang Juncheng, and Alexander Bublik—are vying for their place in the next round.
One of the most anticipated matchups of Day 5 features Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego against China’s Shang Juncheng. Sonego’s 2025 campaign was a rollercoaster: he started strong by reaching his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal, only to suffer a string of early exits later in the season. His resilience paid off with a semi-final run at the Moselle Open, though Cameron Norrie ultimately halted his progress. Sonego wrapped up 2025 ranked World No. 95 but has surged to World No. 39 entering the Hong Kong Open, where he dispatched Rei Sakamoto in the Round of 32. With his career-high ranking at World No. 21, Sonego is determined to reestablish himself among the ATP’s elite.
On the other side of the net, Shang Juncheng’s 2025 season was marred by misfortune. He began with promise at the previous year’s Hong Kong Open, reaching the semi-finals, but was forced to retire mid-match due to illness. Further setbacks followed, including a retirement at the Australian Open because of foot pain, and a prolonged absence from the tour until July. Since his return, Shang has struggled to regain his form, suffering early exits and finishing 2025 ranked World No. 253. Now at No. 254, he faces a daunting challenge in Sonego, whose recent performances and higher ranking make him the favorite. Still, as tennis fans know, anything can happen on the day.
Another headline clash sees Russia’s Karen Khachanov take on American Michael Mmoh. Khachanov, the fourth seed in Hong Kong, boasts an impressive resume: he reached the third round at both the 2025 Australian and French Opens, made a quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon, and capped his season ranked World No. 18. Currently sitting at No. 17, Khachanov is eager to make a statement after a disappointing exit to Alex de Minaur in the Paris Masters Round of 16 last season. However, he enters this match with a recent record of three losses in his last five outings, a stat that could give his opponent hope.
Michael Mmoh, meanwhile, is riding a wave of momentum. After a year sidelined by a serious elbow injury in 2024, Mmoh has made a spirited comeback in 2025 and now in 2026. He battled through qualifying in Hong Kong, winning both matches in three sets, and then stunned Alejandro Tabilo in the main draw’s opening round, saving all six breakpoints he faced. Mmoh has won four of his last five matches, and although he is considered the underdog by bookmakers, some analysts believe he has a real shot. Notably, Mmoh leads the head-to-head against Khachanov, having beaten the Russian in straight sets at the US Open three seasons ago. As one source put it, "Mmoh is the underdog in this matchup, but we disagree. He already defeated three solid opponents this week in Hong Kong. In their only head-to-head meeting at the US Open three seasons ago, Mmoh defeated Khachanov in straight sets. We expect him to keep this match tight."
The stakes are equally high for Alexandre Muller and Marcos Giron, who are set to face off for the first time on tour. Muller, the defending champion in Hong Kong, opened his 2026 campaign with a straight-sets victory over Kecmanovic. Giron, for his part, was dominant in his opener, dispatching Djere without facing a single breakpoint. Both players have won three of their last five matches, but bookmakers are giving Giron the slight edge based on his recent form. If Giron can replicate his opening-round performance, he may well spoil Muller’s title defense.
Elsewhere, Alexander Bublik, the tournament’s second seed, will meet Botic van de Zandschulp in a match with plenty of intrigue. Bublik finished 2025 just outside the top 10 after a stellar season, and he comes into Hong Kong with high expectations. Van de Zandschulp, who has lost three of his last five matches, showed resilience in his opening win over Struff, bouncing back from a lopsided second set to close out the match. Their head-to-head history favors Bublik, who won their most recent encounter in straight sets, and many expect a repeat performance. "Bublik is the slight favourite in this matchup, and we agree. He had an outstanding 2025 season, finishing just outside the top 10. We expect him to continue in that fashion this season," noted one preview.
These matches are not just about rankings and statistics—they’re about comebacks, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of victory. Michael Mmoh’s return from injury, Shang Juncheng’s fight to regain his early-career promise, and Sonego’s quest to reclaim his place among the best all add layers of drama to the tournament. Defending champion Alexandre Muller faces the pressure of expectation, while established stars like Khachanov and Bublik look to assert their dominance early in the 2026 season.
As the quarterfinals loom, fans are left to wonder: Who will seize their moment in Hong Kong? Will the favorites hold serve, or will the underdogs spring a surprise? With so much on the line and every match brimming with storylines, the Hong Kong Tennis Open is proving once again why it’s a must-watch stop on the ATP calendar.
With the action still unfolding on Day 5, all eyes remain fixed on the courts of Hong Kong. The next few hours promise high drama, unforgettable rallies, and the kind of sporting theater that only tennis can provide.
