The 2025 Lynk & Co Hangzhou Open has delivered a whirlwind of upsets, electrifying comebacks, and career-defining moments, with local heroes and fresh faces alike making headlines. As the tournament barrels toward its conclusion, the stage is set for two tantalizing semi-final clashes: third seed Alexander Bublik takes on homegrown favorite Wu Yibing, while all-French affair pits the surging qualifier Valentin Royer against the crafty Corentin Moutet. With the dust barely settled from a dramatic quarterfinal round, fans are bracing for more fireworks in Hangzhou.
It’s not every day that a qualifier steals the spotlight from the world’s top players, but that’s exactly what Valentin Royer has managed this week. The 24-year-old Frenchman, previously unheralded on the ATP Tour, has strung together a remarkable run through the qualifiers and main draw, notching his first-ever victory over a Top 20 opponent by ousting No. 1 seed Andrey Rublev 6-4, 7-6(2). Royer’s win over Rublev was powered by a blistering 32 winners to the Russian’s 19 and marked a seismic shift in the tournament’s landscape. "I’m so happy… The crowd was with me. You guys like me, I like you, we have a connection," Royer beamed in his on-court interview, expressing gratitude for the support that’s buoyed his breakthrough week.
Royer’s journey didn’t stop there. He backed up his statement win with a marathon 7-6(0), 4-6, 6-2 victory over Learner Tien in a tense, two-hour and 38-minute quarterfinal. Despite trailing by a break in both the second and third sets, Royer dug deep, converting all three of his break points in the deciding set to clinch his maiden ATP Tour semi-final. His serve has been a weapon all week—he’s already fired 48 aces, a testament to the aggressive style that’s carried him to a career-high No. 83 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. Prior to Hangzhou, Royer had never strung together consecutive tour-level wins, making this run all the more improbable and thrilling.
Awaiting Royer in the semi-final is compatriot Corentin Moutet, the tournament’s fourth seed and a player enjoying his own career-best season. Moutet advanced to his third semi-final of 2025 after Tomas Martin Etcheverry was forced to retire while trailing 0-3 in the second set of their quarterfinal clash. The 26-year-old Frenchman, now up to No. 37 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, has shown nerves of steel in Hangzhou—he saved two match points in his second-round win over Arthur Cazaux and has made a habit of outmaneuvering opponents with his court craft and movement. Moutet may not possess Royer’s raw firepower, but his tactical acumen and ability to turn defense into offense have made him a formidable force. The all-French semi-final promises a fascinating contrast in styles, with Royer’s big-hitting approach set against Moutet’s guile and grit.
On the other side of the draw, the spotlight shines brightly on Wu Yibing, who has carried the hopes of the home crowd with poise and passion. Wu’s path to the semi-finals has been anything but easy. The Hangzhou native stunned former Nitto ATP Finals champion Daniil Medvedev 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-4 in a dramatic, three-hour and eleven-minute encounter. Medvedev, who fired 17 aces but faltered with two crucial double faults while serving for the match in the second set, was left ruing missed opportunities as Wu clawed his way back from a set and a break down. "I got a little bit lucky in the second set, but I was giving it my best," Wu said, acknowledging both his resilience and the crowd’s unwavering support. "Daniil is one of the toughest guys to play on Tour, especially with my style. He’s really tough to beat and I had to bring my best tennis to stay in the match. I’m glad I brought it today."
For Wu, this semi-final appearance is a significant milestone. He’s competing in just his fourth tour-level event of the season after battling through a string of injuries that sidelined him from March 2019 until January 2022. The 25-year-old, who made history by becoming the first Chinese man to win an ATP Tour title in Dallas in 2023, has been open about the challenges he’s overcome. "It means everything, especially at home. It’s been a long couple of years behind me. I overcame a lot of injuries," Wu reflected. "It’s not easy to be here, especially winning three matches in a row. Hopefully I can come back tomorrow feeling not so tired." His run in Hangzhou has included gritty three-set victories over Sebastian Korda and Adrian Mannarino, and he’s converted 9 of 20 break point opportunities—numbers that reflect both his fighting spirit and areas for improvement against the tournament’s top servers.
Standing between Wu and a dream final is Alexander Bublik, the highest remaining seed and a man in imperious form. The third-seeded Kazakh has breezed through the draw, dropping just two games in a 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Dalibor Svrcina in the quarterfinals. Bublik’s serve has been nearly untouchable—he’s blasted 30 aces in two matches, won all 22 of his first-serve points in his last outing, and faced just one break point (which he saved). Already a three-time ATP Tour titlist this season, Bublik’s aggressive style and quick-strike tennis are tailor-made for the fast conditions in Hangzhou. With Medvedev out of the picture, many see Bublik as the clear favorite for the title, but Wu’s tenacity and the energy of the home crowd could make for a compelling contest.
The semi-final matchups are dripping with storylines. Will Royer’s dream run continue, or will Moutet’s experience and tactical nous see him through to his first final of the year? Can Wu Yibing channel the support of thousands to topple another seed, or will Bublik’s big serve and fearless play prove too much? As the tournament reaches its climax, the only certainty is that Hangzhou has already delivered more than its share of surprises.
With the anticipation building and the city buzzing, all eyes are on the semi-finals. The 2025 Lynk & Co Hangzhou Open is poised for a thrilling finish—one that could see new stars crowned and unforgettable memories made on Chinese soil.
