In a thrilling finale at the ATP Hangzhou Open, world number 19 Alexander Bublik showcased his power and finesse to outlast French qualifier Valentin Royer. Held in the Chinese mainland city of Hangzhou, the match came down to two high-stakes tiebreakers, with Bublik prevailing 7-6(4), 7-6(4) to secure his fourth ATP Tour title of the season.
Early in the first set, Bublik electrified the crowd with a running lob winner at 3-3. Neither player surrendered serve, pushing the set to a tiebreak. With Bublik leading 5-4, he delivered an ace to clinch the breaker 7-4 and take the opening set.
The second set followed the same script: tight rallies, aggressive net play, and one break point saved by Bublik on a perfectly timed volley. At 6-6, the players battled again in a tiebreak. On championship point, Bublik floored a backhand return before firing a forehand down the line to seal the match 7-6(4).
This win adds to a stellar season for the Kazakh star. Bublik's four 2023 trophies now include:
- Halle Open
- Swiss Open
- Austrian Open
- Hangzhou Open
His tally makes him the second-most successful player on tour this year, trailing only Carlos Alcaraz, who has captured seven titles. As Bublik's powerful serve and fearless style continue to electrify courts, tennis fans worldwide are eager to see where he heads next.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
