Hong Kong Tennis Open: Bublik ready for heat of Shang battle with semi-final on the line
Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik takes straight sets win at Victoria Park and says he loves city’s hot weather
Alexander Bublik said he loves the “hot weather” in Hong Kong after dispatching Botic van de Zandschulp with a convincing straight sets win at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open on Thursday.
Playing in the city for the first time, the world No 11 from Kazakhstan beat his Dutch opponent 6-3, 6-3 and advanced to the quarter-finals, where he will face Jerry Shang Juncheng.
Shang had a straight sets win of his own, seeing off fifth seed Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-4 at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium to reach the last eight for the third year running.
“It’s great to play here and I felt well on the court, this is probably one of the fastest courts I played throughout the season,” Bublik said. “It’s an enjoyable atmosphere, I enjoyed the city, I enjoyed the court, I hope to continue the same way.
“I love the weather, I came from St Petersburg where it was minus 20, so this is hot for me. I am OK.”
Bublik, who has eight career titles to his name and reached the quarter-finals of last year’s French Open, said that he was looking forward to the match against his friend Shang, who battled injury for most of 2025.