Hubert Hurkacz delivered the story of the day with a stunning comeback victory over world No. 9 Taylor Fritz at the United Cup, marking his triumphant return after seven months away from tennis due to knee surgery. The Polish star's 7-6(1) 7-6(2) upset helped propel his country into the final, while Lorenzo Musetti reached the Hong Kong final after defeating Andrey Rublev in three compelling sets. Daniil Medvedev also advanced to his Brisbane final with a commanding semifinal win.
Hurkacz's remarkable comeback stuns Fritz at United Cup
Playing his first tournament since knee surgery ended his 2025 season in June, Hubert Hurkacz produced one of the most impressive comeback performances of the early season, dismantling world No. 9 Taylor Fritz 7-6(1) 7-6(2) to send Poland through to the United Cup final. The 74-place ranking differential made this one of the day's biggest upsets, but Hurkacz showed no signs of rust as he dominated the crucial moments.
The Polish star was virtually untouchable when it mattered most, winning an exceptional 12 of 14 serve pressure points while capitalizing on Fritz's struggles in tight situations. Hurkacz's serving was particularly impressive, firing 16 aces while saving both break points he faced. His teammate Jan Zielinski later praised the former world No. 9's inspiring performance, noting how Hurkacz's incredible tennis in his first tournament back motivated the entire Polish team to raise their level for the deciding mixed doubles victory.
Musetti ends title drought quest with Rublev victory
Lorenzo Musetti moved within one win of ending his near four-year title drought, overcoming defending Hong Kong champion Andrey Rublev 6-7(3) 7-5 6-4 in a gripping three-set semifinal. The top-seeded Italian, who hasn't lifted an ATP Tour title since winning two tournaments in 2022, showed tremendous resilience after dropping the opening set tiebreak.
Musetti's ability to handle pressure proved decisive, as he won 23 of 30 serve pressure points while converting crucial return opportunities when Rublev wavered. The Italian, who reached a career-high No. 6 ranking in 2025 and appeared in three finals, fired five aces and saved seven of eight break points faced. Rublev acknowledged afterward that Musetti has improved dramatically since their first meeting in Dubai in 2020, recognizing the significant challenge awaiting him in what would be a title-deciding encounter.
Medvedev cruises into Brisbane final
Daniil Medvedev continued his strong pursuit of a 22nd tour-level title, dispatching American Alex Michelsen 6-4 6-2 to reach the Brisbane final. The former world No. 1, who reached the championship match in his only previous Brisbane appearance in 2019, adopted an aggressive approach that overwhelmed his opponent from the early stages.
Medvedev's serving was clinical throughout, winning 19 of 28 serve pressure points while capitalizing effectively on Michelsen's service struggles. The Russian struck nine aces and saved seven of eight break points, demonstrating the form that helped him finish 2025 strongly. By reaching his 53rd tour-level semifinal on hard courts, Medvedev extended his lead as the second most among active players behind Novak Djokovic, setting up a final showdown where he'll be heavily favored to claim his first title of 2026.
Bublik recovers from slow start in Hong Kong
Alexander Bublik produced an impressive turnaround to defeat Marcos Giron 3-6 6-4 6-2, booking his place in the Hong Kong final against Musetti. The Kazakhstani showed his trademark resilience after dropping the opening set, gradually asserting control as Giron's level dipped in the decisive stages.
Bublik's serving prowess ultimately proved the difference, as he won 18 of 24 serve pressure points while converting all three of his break point opportunities. The 2nd seed struck nine aces and saved six of eight break points faced, demonstrating the aggressive style that has made him one of the tour's most dangerous players on his day. His ability to raise his level when trailing sets up an intriguing final against the title-hungry Musetti.
Nakashima advances in tight Brisbane semifinal
Brandon Nakashima secured his spot in the Brisbane final with a hard-fought 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic. The American showed excellent composure in the key moments, particularly on serve where he saved both break points faced while capitalizing on his lone break opportunity.
Nakashima's serving statistics were impressive throughout, winning 13 of 15 serve pressure points while maintaining consistent pressure on the Kovacevic service games. The 33rd-ranked American fired 15 aces against just one double fault, demonstrating the reliable serving that carried him through to a final meeting with top seed Medvedev. His clinical performance in tight situations suggests he could pose problems for the heavily favored Russian in Sunday's championship match.
Saturday's action will feature the United Cup final between Poland and Switzerland, while both the Hong Kong and Brisbane tournaments conclude with their respective championship matches. Musetti will aim to end his lengthy title drought against the dangerous Bublik, while Medvedev seeks to start 2026 with silverware against the determined Nakashima.
Sunday's championship matches
Sunday's ATP action delivers three compelling finals across three continents, headlined by Lorenzo Musetti's clash with Alexander Bublik in Hong Kong. The world No. 7 faces the unpredictable Kazakh in what promises to be a fascinating contrast of styles. Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev seeks his first title since early 2025 when he meets rising American Brandon Nakashima in Brisbane, while Hubert Hurkacz takes on veteran Stan Wawrinka at the United Cup.
Hong Kong showdown: power meets precision
The Hong Kong final presents a captivating stylistic battle between Musetti's all-court artistry and Bublik's explosive power game. The Italian enters as the higher seed but trails 2-1 in their head-to-head, though he claimed their most recent encounter at Stuttgart in June 2024. Their sole previous hard court meeting went to Bublik, adding extra intrigue to Sunday's championship match.
Bublik's serve will be the dominant weapon on court, averaging 12.0 aces per match over the past year compared to Musetti's 5.4. The Kazakh's first serve effectiveness is exceptional at 80.2% points won, though his second serve vulnerability at just 46.0% provides Musetti with clear opportunities. The Italian has proven more reliable in pressure situations, converting break points at 38.2% compared to Bublik's slightly higher 39.2%, but it's worth noting Bublik's superior break point saving percentage of 71.1%.
Form favors Bublik entering this final, with the world No. 11 posting a strong 7-3 record in his last 10 matches compared to Musetti's 6-4. However, Musetti's overall hard court record over the past 52 weeks is superior at 63.6% compared to Bublik's 55.9%. The key battle will be Musetti's ability to neutralize Bublik's serve and draw him into longer rallies where the Italian's superior court coverage can take effect. The experience in final match-ups can be also crucial - Bublik won all of his 4 final appearances in 2025, while Musetti struggles to convert the decisive opportunities multiple times since October 2022.
Brisbane final: Medvedev's resurgence continues
Medvedev arrives in the Brisbane final riding momentum from a strong week, seeking to build on what appears to be a return to form for the former world No. 1. The Russian holds a commanding 2-0 head-to-head advantage over Nakashima, including their most recent meeting in Madrid last April, and has never lost to the American on hard courts.
The statistical matchup heavily favors Medvedev across most metrics. His return game remains elite, winning 33.3% of points against first serves compared to Nakashima's 27.6%, while his superior court positioning allows him to win 54.6% of second serve return points. Nakashima's main advantage lies in his serving consistency - he averages just 1.1 double faults per match compared to Medvedev's 4.4, and his break point saving percentage of 67.4% edges the Russian's 62.9%.
Both players enter with excellent recent form, but Medvedev's three-match winning streak and 8-2 record in his last 10 matches suggests he's found his rhythm. Nakashima's four-match winning streak demonstrates his growing confidence, but his tiebreak struggles (13-16 record over the past year) could prove costly against Medvedev, who splits his tiebreaks evenly at 11-11 but thrives in the tactical complexity of extended sets.
United Cup final: experience meets resurgence
The United Cup final features an intriguing matchup between Hurkacz's recent struggles with ranking and Wawrinka's attempt to turn back the clock. Despite sitting at No. 83, Hurkacz has shown flashes of his former top-10 form, while the 39-year-old Wawrinka continues his remarkable longevity despite sitting at No. 156. Their only previous meeting came at the 2023 United Cup, where Hurkacz prevailed.
The statistical contrast is stark and tells the story of two players at different career phases. Hurkacz maintains impressive serving metrics with 13.8 aces per match and an outstanding 83.3% tiebreak record over limited opportunities. His break point saving percentage of 69.6% shows he still possesses the mental fortitude that carried him to Masters 1000 titles. However, his return conversion rate of just 28.4% suggests ongoing struggles in that department.
Wawrinka's 3-10 hard court record at top level over the past year reflects his current struggles, yet his 66.7% tiebreak record and solid serving percentages indicate he can still compete in bursts. The Swiss veteran's experience in big moments could prove valuable, but Hurkacz's superior recent form (7-3 in last 10 matches) and physical advantages make him the clear favorite to claim what would be a significant confidence-boosting victory.
Sunday's three finals offer compelling narratives across different career stages and playing styles. From Hong Kong's clash of contrasts to Brisbane's battle of form players to the United Cup's generational meeting, each match provides unique storylines as the 2026 season continues to unfold. All matches begin in the early afternoon local time, providing tennis fans with an action-packed Sunday of championship tennis.