Rublev on Musetti Rematch in Hong Kong: 'He Was Very Young Last Time – It Doesn't Count'

Hong Kong Semis Electric: Rublev Faces Top 10 Musetti Six Years After Debut Clash, Russian Touts Italian's Surge

© AFP

Adrien Guyot

le 09/01/2026 à 11h52

1 min to read

Hong Kong Musetti Lorenzo Rublev Andrey

First tournament of the season and already a blockbuster in Hong Kong. In the semifinals, Andrey Rublev will face Lorenzo Musetti in a matchup anticipated at this stage when the draw was made.

The clash will take place this Saturday for a spot in the final. On Friday, the Russian dispatched Nuno Borges (6-3, 6-4) while the Italian, top seed No. 1, overcame Coleman Wong (6-4, 6-4).

Second ATP Tour Meeting Between Musetti and Rublev

Musetti and Rublev will thus face off for the second time on the main tour, nearly six years after their first encounter at the Dubai ATP 500 in 2020.

Back then, the Russian's experience made the difference (6-4, 6-4), but things have changed since. The Italian is now top 10 while Rublev comes off a mixed 2025 season. The latter has in any case set the stage for the showdown.

'He's Much Better in Every Area'

"We'll see what happens. Lorenzo (Musetti) has been playing incredible tennis for two years. He's improving more and more, posting better results and is much better in every area. Right now, he has a better ranking than me.

When I played him the first time, he was very young so it doesn't really count. Tomorrow, it will be a completely different match and I'll need to be really ready if I want to perform and have a chance to win this battle," Rublev told The Tennis Letter.