The electric atmosphere at the ATP 250 tournament in Hong Kong reached a fever pitch this Saturday as Lorenzo Musetti and Andrey Rublev locked horns in a semifinal clash that tennis fans had been eagerly awaiting. Their matchup, only the second time they’ve faced off on the ATP Tour, was billed as a battle between two players with plenty to prove and even more to gain. Musetti, the 23-year-old Italian prodigy, arrived at this stage as the tournament’s top seed and with a world ranking of No. 7, while Rublev, the fiery Russian, was seeded third and determined to reprise his previous victory over Musetti from their 2020 encounter in Dubai.
Back in that 2020 Dubai meeting, a then-inexperienced Musetti fell to Rublev in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Fast forward nearly six years, and the Italian has transformed into a formidable force on the ATP circuit, fresh off a debut at the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals and hungry for more silverware. The stakes in Hong Kong couldn’t have been higher: not only was a spot in the final on the line, but Musetti also stood on the cusp of breaking into the ATP top 5 for the first time in his career—an achievement that would mark a significant milestone for the young star.
The match itself was a showcase of resilience, tactical nous, and high-octane shot-making from both players. The first set was a tense affair, with neither man giving an inch on serve. Rublev, known for his relentless baseline aggression, managed to edge ahead in a tiebreak after less than an hour of play, taking the opener and putting the pressure squarely on Musetti. But the Italian, who has matured considerably since their last clash, refused to wilt under the spotlight.
Displaying the mental toughness that has become his trademark in recent seasons, Musetti clawed his way back in the second set. Both players held serve deep into the frame, with rallies growing longer and the tension mounting with every point. At 5-5, Musetti seized his moment, breaking Rublev’s serve with a combination of deft touch and explosive power. He then held his nerve to serve out the set, leveling the match at one set apiece and setting the stage for a gripping decider.
The third set saw both competitors dig deep as fatigue began to set in. Once again, games went on serve until Musetti, sensing his opportunity, broke at 5-4. The final game was a nail-biter—Rublev, refusing to go quietly, forced Musetti to save three break points before the Italian finally closed out the match. After two hours and forty-three minutes of pulsating tennis, the scoreboard read 6-7, 7-5, 6-4 in favor of Musetti. The crowd erupted, fully aware they’d witnessed a battle worthy of the big stage.
With this victory, Musetti not only avenged his earlier loss to Rublev but also booked his place in the Hong Kong final, where he’ll face the winner of the other semifinal between Alexander Bublik and Marcos Giron. The Italian now stands just one win away from his third career ATP title and his first since triumphing in Naples back in 2022. More importantly, his run in Hong Kong guarantees that he will break into the top 5 of the ATP rankings for the first time—a testament to his steady rise and consistent performances over the past two years.
For Rublev, the defeat was a tough pill to swallow. The Russian, currently ranked No. 16, had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament. He battled back from a set down to defeat Yibing Wu and dispatched Nuno Borges with authority in the quarterfinals. However, questions about his ability to sustain high-level tennis against top-10 opponents resurfaced in this match. While Rublev’s firepower was never in doubt, Musetti’s variety and mental fortitude ultimately made the difference.
Meanwhile, the other semifinal in Hong Kong featured an intriguing showdown between Alexander Bublik and Marcos Giron. Bublik, the No. 2 seed and currently enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 11, entered the match with a perfect record in the tournament—he hadn’t dropped a set all week and was eyeing a spot in the ATP top 10 with a potential title run. His opponent, the American Marcos Giron, held a surprising 3-1 head-to-head record against Bublik, with their most recent meeting dating back to 2023.
Giron had navigated a tricky path to the semifinals, defeating Laslo Djere, Alexandre Muller, and advancing past Michael Mmoh via a second-set retirement. Despite his previous success against Bublik, the Kazakh’s aggressive style and serving prowess looked well-suited to the Hong Kong courts. Many pundits predicted a straight-sets win for Bublik, but with Giron’s dogged baseline play and past head-to-head advantage, an upset was certainly within the realm of possibility.
Throughout the tournament, Bublik’s dynamic game and ability to mix things up from the baseline have been on full display. His serve, in particular, has been a reliable weapon, earning him plenty of free points and keeping his opponents constantly guessing. According to tournament analysts, "Bublik had a great 2025 season and he looks to have started in similar fashion in 2026. He has not dropped a set this week and with his aggressive tennis, he seems to be well suited for the courts at Hong Kong." Giron, on the other hand, has had to work harder for his points, especially on serve, but his resilience has earned him respect across the tour.
While Musetti’s path to the final has been marked by mental growth and a newfound ability to win tight matches, Bublik’s journey has been about capitalizing on momentum and translating last year’s success into even greater achievements. If the two were to meet in the final, fans could expect a fascinating contrast of styles—Musetti’s variety and tactical nous against Bublik’s raw power and unpredictability.
As the ATP Hong Kong Open draws to its thrilling conclusion, all eyes are on Lorenzo Musetti. With a top-5 ranking secured and a shot at his third career title looming, the Italian’s star continues to rise. Tennis fans will be watching closely to see if he can cap off his impressive run with a trophy, or if Alexander Bublik—or perhaps Marcos Giron—will spoil the party. One thing’s for sure: the final promises to deliver more fireworks before the curtain falls on this year’s tournament.
