Bublik Powers into Second Consecutive Kitzbuhel Final

Defending champion Alexander Bublik has powered into the final in Kitzbuhel once again. 

The 29-year-old rifled past fourth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry to set a final with Quentin Halys on Saturday in the Austrian Alps. 

Unseeded Halys reached his second ATP final, defeating Yannick Hanfmann, 6-4, 7-6(2). 

It was a comprehensive performance from the World No.11 and top seed, who has now won seven matches on the trot at the Generali Open. He claimed his 6-3, 6-4 victory without dropping serve in one hour and 24 minutes. 

“I think I played a great match,” Bublik said. “I prepared well, and I executed the tactics that we had before the match, so I’m really happy with the outcome and the way that I played.”

Bublik hit 13 forehand winners against just seven forehand errors in the contest, and saved the only break point he faced as he won 82 percent of his first-serve points. He also hit nine backhand winners against five backhand unforced errors and won 30 of 48 baseline points. 

Bublik is into his 17th ATP final and will bid for his tenth title on Sunday. He is the first player to reach back-to-back finals in Kitzbuhel since Robin Haase in 2012. Halys, ranked 83 but up to No.72 in the live rankings, has never won an ATP title.