The 2026 Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open has come roaring back to life, and Day 4 promises to be a showstopper as the ATP 250 event continues to captivate fans both at Victoria Park and around the globe. After a two-decade hiatus, the Hong Kong Open is now in its third edition since returning to the main tour in 2024, and this year’s draw is as loaded as ever. With the second full day of main draw action set for Wednesday, January 7, the tournament is buzzing with anticipation as top seeds and crowd favorites prepare to make their mark.
In the opening round, the event has already delivered its share of excitement. Fifth seed Lorenzo Sonego, sixth seed Gabriel Diallo, and seventh seed Alexandre Muller all advanced in straight sets, underscoring the depth of talent in the field. American players Michael Mmoh and Marcos Giron also progressed, while local hero Coleman Wong electrified his home crowd with a confident win. The stage is now set for the entrance of the tournament’s biggest names—including top seed Lorenzo Musetti, third seed Andrey Rublev, and former US Open champion Marin Cilic, all scheduled to compete in Wednesday’s second-round clashes.
Let’s break down the marquee matchups and storylines defining Day 4 in Hong Kong.
Lorenzo Musetti vs. Tomas Martin Etcheverry: Clash of Styles, History on the Line
All eyes will be on Lorenzo Musetti as the Italian prodigy begins his 2026 campaign against Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Musetti, now ranked No. 7 in the world, is coming off a stellar 2025 season that saw him reach the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time, make a semifinal run at Roland Garros, and notch multiple Masters 1000 semifinal appearances. With a year-end record of 45–22, Musetti’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric.
Etcheverry, ranked No. 57, has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled for consistency, finishing 2025 with a 26–30 record. He kicked off his Hong Kong campaign with a straight-sets win over Valentin Royer, but the challenge ramps up significantly against Musetti. The Italian leads their head-to-head 2–0, including a 6–3, 6–4 victory in Vienna last year and a 7–6(3), 6–2 win at the 2025 Madrid Masters. Musetti also holds a slight edge in hardcourt winning percentage, boasting a 25–16 record on the surface over the past 12 months, with an 80.4% success rate in service games and a 37.7% break point conversion.
Etcheverry’s hardcourt numbers are respectable—14–12 over the past year, with a 76.8% service game win rate and a 40.5% break point conversion—but he’s still searching for a breakthrough win over a top-10 opponent. The odds reflect the gap: Musetti is a -325 favorite with a 76.5% implied probability of advancing to the quarterfinals, while Etcheverry is a +240 underdog. According to USA TODAY Sports, "Musetti has made far more improvements on non-clay surfaces than Etcheverry has in recent seasons."
Musetti is keen to build on his 2025 momentum, though he’s coming off a tough loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Finals group stage. "I knew I couldn’t be at 100% in shape," Musetti admitted after his first match in Turin, but the Italian’s resilience and shot-making have made him a crowd favorite and a genuine title contender here in Hong Kong.
Andrey Rublev vs. Wu Yibing: Redemption and Home Hopes Collide
Third seed Andrey Rublev, who finished 2025 with a 34–25 record and a title in Doha, is looking to rebound from a dip in form that saw him slide to 16th in the world rankings. Rublev enters Hong Kong fresh, having received a bye as the No. 3 seed, and he’ll open against China’s Wu Yibing. The local favorite is riding a wave of confidence after dispatching Fabian Marozsan 6–4, 6–2 in the first round.
Rublev leads their head-to-head 1–0, having prevailed in three sets at Halle in 2023. While Wu is healthy and has the crowd behind him, Rublev’s experience and power make him the favorite. Still, as TennGrand notes, "this could be a good spot for Wu to get revenge," and the match could swing on Rublev’s ability to dictate play with his heavy groundstrokes. The Russian is also coming off a doubles win alongside Karen Khachanov, which may give him an added boost of confidence heading into his singles opener.
Predictions are split, with some analysts picking Rublev in straight sets and others seeing potential for an upset if Wu can harness the energy of the home fans. Either way, the atmosphere promises to be electric.
Marin Cilic vs. Nuno Borges: Veteran vs. Rising Star
Marin Cilic, now in his 20th season on tour at age 37, continues to defy the odds. The Croatian opened his Hong Kong campaign with a commanding 6–3, 6–2 win over Adrian Mannarino, firing nine aces and winning 89% of his first-serve points. Cilic’s serve remains a formidable weapon, and he converted three of six break points in his opener.
He’ll face eighth seed Nuno Borges, who also advanced in straight sets, defeating Damir Dzumhur 6–4, 6–3. Borges, who plays his best tennis on clay, notched five breaks of serve in his first match but will need to elevate his game to challenge Cilic on the hard courts. The two have met once before, with Cilic winning their 2021 encounter. Most experts are tipping Cilic to prevail in three sets, citing his experience and firepower as decisive factors.
Gabriel Diallo vs. Coleman Wong: Youthful Energy and Home Advantage
Sixth seed Gabriel Diallo has emerged as one of the players to watch in 2026. The big-serving Canadian survived a tough first-round test and now faces hometown favorite Coleman Wong. While Wong will have the crowd firmly behind him, Diallo’s hardcourt credentials and baseline strength make him a formidable opponent. As College Sports Network observes, "Diallo looks like a solid package on the hard courts, and I don’t think the home favorite will be able to break Diallo from the baseline." Most predictions have Diallo advancing, but Wong’s determination and local support could make this a tighter contest than the seedings suggest.
Tournament Context and What’s Next
The 2026 Hong Kong Open is more than just a return to form for the city’s sporting calendar—it’s a showcase for both established stars and rising talents. Musetti’s quest for another title, Rublev’s bid to reassert himself in the upper echelons of the game, Cilic’s veteran savvy, and the homegrown hope of Wong all combine to create a compelling narrative as the tournament unfolds.
With the action heating up and the draw tightening, fans can expect high drama and top-tier tennis as Day 4 gets underway. The outcomes of these key matchups will shape the path to the quarterfinals and, ultimately, the championship. For now, the focus is on the court, where every point could be the one that turns the tide.