By Alberto Amalfi | Sunday, February 6, 2022
Alexander Bublik swept world No. 3 Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-3 to capture his first career ATP title in Montpellier.
Photo credit: Open Sud de France - Montpellier Facebook
Alexander Bublik jumped for joy and landed as a tournament champion.
Playing clever drop shots and sharp angles, Bublik beat top-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-3 to capture his first career ATP title in the Open Sud de France final in Montpellier.
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The 24-year-old Bublik converted four of eight break points and won 11 of 16 points played on Zverev's second serve in a 63-minute conquest that left the world No. leaping in celebration.
Gold confetti rained down on a beaming Bublik, who beat Zverev for the second time in as many meetings.
“To everybody who’s been with me—my coach, my team up there, my wife, who’s watching me, my mom—thank you very much for the support," Bublik said. "The crowd, you’ve been electric throughout the week, without you it wouldn’t be possible so thank you guys, thank you.”
It was Bublik's fourth career Top 10 win and first Top 5 triumph.
Contesting his fifth career final, Bublik repeatedly exposed Zverev's insecurity at net snapping the Olympic gold-medal champion's seven-match Montpellier winning streak and denying him a 20th career title.
In a battle of buddies both nicknamed Sasha, Bublik serve with more command when it mattered most: he won 16 of 20 points played on his serve in the second set tearing through three of the last five games at love.
"Congratulations Alex on your first title," Zverev said. "I think it’s not gonna be your last one.
"You played incredible this week, didn’t really give anyone a chance so you really deserve that title. You were the best player this week so congratulations."
A sloppy service game from Zverev gave Bublik a second break and a 5-4 lead. Bublik saved break points to serve out the opening set.
Bublik stressed Zverev on serve in the early stages of the second set and broke through in the fifth game.
Drawing the German forward with a forehand drop shot, Bublik banged a forehand pass down the line for triple break point.
Front-court issues cost the German as Zverev botched a backhand volley and Bublik snatched the love break for 3-2. Bublik backed up the break at love—part of a nine-point surge the powered him to a one-set, 4-2 lead.
A focused Bublik pumped his eighth ace slamming shut a strong hold for 5-3.
A crackling return deep down the middle handcuffed Zverev into the error for triple match point. Bublik burned Zverev with one final drop shot to close his first career championship.