Bublik Breaks the Top-10 Barrier in Hong Kong: A Historic Kazakh Triumph

Bublik becomes the first Kazakh to enter the world’s top-10.

Match progression

Alexander Bublik captured his ninth ATP title and his fifth since June last year, after winning today in the Hong Kong 250 event, over Italian Lorenzo Musetti, whose final run extended to a seventh consecutive final defeat, and completed a historic milestone.

Seeded second, he absorbed Musetti’s variety and used heavy groundstrokes from the baseline to seize control, closing out the match 7-6, 6-3. With this title, Bublik will make a historic leap into the world top-10 on Monday, becoming the first Kazakh ever to reach this mark in the sport.

Bublik said after the win, per the ATP Tour site: "My goal this season was to reach the top ten, and here I am in week one with title. If someone told me in April I’d do this, I wouldn’t have believed it; it’s a wonderful feeling, and I hope to keep it up."

Season outlook

Last season, Bublik enjoyed a stunning second half, winning Halle, Gstaad, Kitzbühel, and Hangzhou. In his opening 2026 appearance, he continued his form, losing only one set in the entire event as fans watched him rise.

By contrast, Musetti hoped to end his title drought after Naples 2022. The 23-year-old left with another final loss, his finals record now 2-7, while Bublik's finals record sits at 9-7 this season.

Despite the defeat, Musetti will climb to No.5 in the world on Monday for the first time, becoming only the third Italian to reach that ranking after Jannik Sinner and Adriano Panatta ever.

As the season turns, more milestones await for both players and Kazakhstan's rising tennis hopes worldwide soon.