Defending champion Alexandre Muller faced an early exit in the second round of the Hong Kong ATP 250, failing to replicate last year’s victorious performance. The French player, ranked 52nd in the world, aimed to defend his title but was unable to overcome Marcos Giron, who rallied impressively after Muller initially took the lead in both sets. Despite being the No. 7 seed, Muller fell short, with the match concluding at 6-4, 7-6 after 1 hour and 36 minutes of play.
Muller, who had advanced to this stage by defeating Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets (7-5, 6-4), struggled to capitalize on his opportunities against Giron. He had breaks in both sets and even served for the second set at 5-4, but ultimately, it was Giron’s resilience that shone through as he secured a spot in the quarterfinals. Giron will now face either Karen Khachanov or Michael Mmoh in the next round.
While it is undoubtedly disappointing for Muller, there is hope that he can rebound from this performance as he continues to strive for success on the ATP tour. His previous victory in Hong Kong serves as a reminder of his capabilities, and with continued effort, future achievements are within his reach.