Alexander Bublik has been spectacular this season regardless of exiting the primary spherical of the 2024 Australian Open. In Madrid, he grew to become the primary participant to defeat American star Ben Shelton on clay this season as he earned a spot within the Spherical of 16.
On paper, Shelton was the favourite to beat Bublik on the Caja Majica. The American boasted 16 wins in 23 matches and was simply getting back from profitable the U.S.
Males’s Clay Court docket Championships in Houston early this month. Nonetheless, it nearly counted within the first spherical however Bublik rallied strongly to win the match 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4.
Throughout the match, each gamers struggled to realize management. Bublik made eight double faults in opposition to one by Shelton. However, ultimately consolidated it by profitable 80% and 76% of his first and second serve in comparison with 73% and 68% by Shelton. The World No.17 discovered the weak level to Shelton’s left hand by swinging the ball on the far proper baseline.
That is the second time in Bublik’s profession that he has gained two consecutive matches. The hard-court grasp earlier beat Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 within the second spherical.
The primary time Bublik gained two matches in a clay occasion was in Rome final yr. He had gained the primary spherical earlier than defeating Shelton within the second spherical however ultimately misplaced to Casper Ruud within the spherical of 32.
Alexander Bublik will now have to attend for the winner between Daniil Medvedev and American Sebastian Korda within the Spherical of 16. The tennis skilled will likely be hoping to face Korda within the final 16, as Medvedev can be fairly a tough process to deal with.
Alexander Bublik’s run of losses in March and April regardless of profitable the Open Su de France
Since Alexander Bublik ended as runners-up within the Dubai Tennis Championship, he has did not win two consecutive matches. The Open Su de France winner gained just one match on the Sunshine Doubles in March whereas struggling back-to-back losses.
He defeated Chinese language Shaag Jucheng on the Indian Wells Masters however misplaced to Alex de Minaur within the Spherical of 32. He then succumbed to defeat in opposition to Italian Matteo Arnaldi 4-6, 1-6 within the second spherical. At Monte Carlo, he misplaced to Croatian Borna Coric within the second spherical.
Regardless of his poor performances in March and early April, the 26-year-old performed his finest tennis in February. Bublik gained the Open de France, reached the quarterfinals of the Rotterdam Open, and reached the ultimate in Dubai.
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