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By Tennis Now | Wednesday, January 13, 2021

 
Alex de Minaur

No. 4-seeded Alex de Minaur won his fourth career title after Alexander Bublik retired from the Antalya Open final with a twisted ankle after seven minutes of play.

Photo credit: @Antalya Open

Alex de Minaur tuned up for his Australian Open return with a Turkish title run.

De Minaur captured his fourth career title prevailing in an injury-shortened Antalya Open final.

More: Sebi Korda Rolls Into Delray Beach Final

The 21-year-old Aussie held a 2-0 lead when Alexander Bublik was forced to retire with a right ankle injury after seven minutes of play.




It's de Minaur's first championship since he won three titles—Sydney, Atlanta and Zhuhai—in 2019.

The fourth-seeded de Minaur dropped just one set in tournament wins over Malek Jaziri, Adrian Andreev, sixth-seeded Nikoloz Basilashvili, second-seeded David Goffin and the eighth-seeded Bublik.

“I knew I’d put in a great pre-season, I felt good and ready to compete," de Minaur said. "I gave myself the best possible chance to go deep in this tournament.

“I have got matches at the start of the year. I am very happy with my level. I got some quality wins and now I’m looking forward to returning to Australia, where I hope to have a good Aussie summer in front of a home crowd.”

Playing for his first career ATP title, the 49th-ranked Bublik was clearly compromised. Bublik twisted his ankle in his 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3 semifinal win over Jeremy Chardy yesterday, admitting he finished the match on adrenaline. 

Bublik gave it a go today, but could not compete with the ankle issue.

"I tried to play. I was in the physio room for three hours yesterday and I tried to get ready for the match today," Bublik told ATPTennis.com afterward. "It’s hard for me in my third ATP Tour final, and I’ve never gotten the win.”

 

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