Michael Mmoh delivered the upset of the day in Hong Kong, stunning world No. 17 Karen Khachanov 7-6(2), 7-6(4) to reach the quarterfinals of ATP 250. The American qualifier, ranked 268 places below his opponent, continued his remarkable start to 2026 after managing just two ATP wins in all of 2025. Meanwhile in Brisbane, Belgian qualifier Raphael Collignon ended Grigor Dimitrov's latest comeback attempt from injury, advancing 7-6(1), 6-3. The day also saw Aleksandar Kovacevic upset Cameron Norrie in a three-set thriller.
Massive upset as Mmoh stuns Khachanov in Hong Kong
The biggest shock of the day came from Hong Kong where Michael Mmoh produced a statement performance to defeat fourth seed Karen Khachanov in straight sets. The American qualifier, who had endured a difficult 2025 with just two tour-level victories, has already matched that tally in the opening week of 2026. This marked Mmoh's first win over a top-20 opponent since 2023, when he also defeated Khachanov at the US Open. The 27-year-old served with authority throughout, winning 80% of first serve points and crucially saved four of five break points. In pressure moments, Mmoh excelled on both fronts - winning 13 of 18 serve pressure points while capitalizing on 4 of 12 return pressure opportunities. The straight-sets victory moves him into his seventh ATP quarterfinal, where he'll face countryman Marcos Giron.
Collignon ends Dimitrov's injury comeback in Brisbane
Raphael Collignon produced the performance of his young career to defeat two-time Brisbane champion Grigor Dimitrov and halt the Bulgarian's return from injury. Dimitrov had suffered a pectoral injury at Wimbledon and made only a brief comeback attempt in Paris last October before withdrawing again. Playing just his second tournament back, the 34-year-old couldn't find answers to Collignon's serving excellence. The 23-year-old Belgian saved all three break points he faced and dominated on serve, winning an impressive 82% of first serve points. The pressure point statistics were equally telling - Collignon won 6 of 7 serve pressure points while converting 6 of 23 return pressure opportunities. The victory moves him to a career-high ranking and into his second tour-level quarterfinal, where he'll meet Brandon Nakashima.
Kovacevic outlasts Norrie in three-set battle
Aleksandar Kovacevic emerged victorious from a grueling three-set encounter with Cameron Norrie in Brisbane, prevailing 7-6(4) 4-6 6-4 after two hours and 47 minutes. The American showed tremendous resilience after dropping the second set, breaking early in the decider to secure his passage to the quarterfinals. Kovacevic's serve was the difference-maker, firing 21 aces and winning 74% of first serve points. The pressure statistics highlighted the tight nature of the contest - Kovacevic won 24 of 29 serve pressure points while managing 2 of 10 return pressure opportunities. The victory represents a significant scalp for the world No. 58 over the 28th-ranked Briton and sets up an intriguing quarterfinal clash.
Bublik cruises to straight-sets win in Hong Kong
Top seed Alexander Bublik made a confident start to his 2026 campaign, dismissing Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-3 in Hong Kong. The Kazakhstani world No. 11 was in commanding form throughout, never facing a break point while breaking serve three times. Bublik's serving statistics were exemplary - he won 87% of first serve points and struck 12 aces with minimal risk-taking. In pressure situations, the 27-year-old was virtually flawless, winning 12 of 13 serve pressure points while converting 7 of 17 return pressure opportunities. The comprehensive victory moves Bublik safely through to the quarterfinals as he looks to build momentum ahead of the Australian Open.
Nakashima advances smoothly in Brisbane
Brandon Nakashima booked his place in the Brisbane quarterfinals with a comfortable 6-2, 6-4 victory over Quentin Halys. The American was clinical on serve throughout, saving both break points he faced while breaking the Frenchman's serve three times. Nakashima struck 12 aces and maintained steady pressure throughout the match. His pressure point conversion was solid on both fronts - winning 6 of 7 serve pressure points while capitalizing on 10 of 21 return pressure opportunities. The victory sets up an intriguing all-quarterfinal clash with Collignon, as Nakashima continues his strong form on Australian soil.
The quarterfinals in both Hong Kong and Brisbane promise compelling matchups as the tour's early-season action continues to build momentum toward the Australian Open. Several players have already made strong statements about their 2026 ambitions with these breakthrough performances.
Friday's featured matchups
World No. 6 Alex de Minaur leads Friday's ATP action when he faces resurgent Hubert Hurkacz at the United Cup, while former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev continues his Brisbane campaign against Kamil Majchrzak. The day's slate also features Andrey Rublev looking to extend his Hong Kong run and two intriguing first-time meetings in Brisbane's quarter-finals.
De Minaur faces Hurkacz revival test
The day's marquee matchup sees de Minaur carry a 2-1 head-to-head lead into his United Cup clash with Hurkacz, who has been building momentum after a challenging 2025 season. The Australian holds a 2-1 record against the Pole on hard courts, including their most recent meeting at Indian Wells in March 2025.
De Minaur's superior return game could prove decisive, as he wins 31.4% of points against first serves compared to Hurkacz's 27.1%. However, the Australian has struggled recently with just four wins in his last 10 matches, while Hurkacz arrives on a three-match winning streak. The Pole's serve remains his biggest weapon, firing 13.1 aces per match over the past year and saving an impressive 70% of break points faced.
Hurkacz's limited hard court sample of just 11 matches in the past 12 months makes him somewhat unpredictable, but his 79.4% first serve points won rate suggests his biggest shot is back to peak form. De Minaur's ability to convert 40.6% of his break point opportunities will be tested against one of the tour's most reliable servers in pressure moments.
Medvedev seeks quarter-final progress in Brisbane
Medvedev enters his first career meeting with Majchrzak as the heavy favorite, bringing a 66.7% hard court win rate and strong recent form of eight wins in his last 10 matches. The Russian's return game remains elite, winning 33% of points against first serves - a significant advantage over Majchrzak's 26.3%.
The Polish player has shown steady improvement with a 67% break point save rate over the past year, superior to Medvedev's 61.6%, but faces a massive test against one of the sport's premier returners. Medvedev's experience in big moments should prove valuable, though his 4.3 double faults per match could provide Majchrzak with opportunities if the Russian's serve falters.
Rublev aims to continue Hong Kong momentum
Rublev holds a commanding 2-0 head-to-head record over Nuno Borges, including a victory in their most recent meeting at Doha in February 2025. The Russian's 77.1% first serve points won rate gives him a clear edge, though Borges has been the steadier player recently with a 6-4 record in his last 10 matches compared to Rublev's 4-6 mark.
Borges excels in tiebreaks with a 60% success rate, which could prove important if he can stay close in sets. Both players convert break points at similar rates, making service holds likely to determine the outcome.
American meets rising talent in Brisbane
Sebastian Korda brings superior hard court form into his first meeting with higher-ranked Alex Michelsen, posting a 59.4% win rate compared to Michelsen's 52.9%. Korda's serve has been particularly effective with 10.1 aces per match, nearly double Michelsen's 5.2 average.
The match could hinge on pressure moments, where both players show similar composure—Korda saves 64.6% of break points while Michelsen manages 64.1%. Korda's recent 7-3 form suggests he arrives with greater confidence than his ranking indicates.
Power servers clash in Brisbane quarter-final
Two big servers collide when Aleksandar Kovacevic faces Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in their maiden encounter. Mpetshi Perricard's 13.2 aces per match and exceptional 69.2% break point save rate make him dangerous, while his 16-13 tiebreak record suggests comfort in deciding moments.
Both players have struggled for consistency with sub-.500 hard court records, but Kovacevic's superior return game—particularly his 46.6% success rate against second serves compared to Mpetshi Perricard's 34.5%—could prove decisive in the rare break point opportunities.
Friday's action across three tournaments sets up intriguing quarter-final scenarios in Brisbane and Hong Kong while the United Cup provides team competition drama. De Minaur's result could significantly impact Australia's campaign, while Medvedev remains the player to beat in Brisbane's individual draw.