Alexander Bublik left it all on the court during his thrilling quarterfinal victory over Karen Khachanov on Friday in Almaty. On Saturday, with heavy strapping on his right knee, the World No. 19 had little left.
He was forced to retire after the opening set, sending defending champion Daniil Medvedev through with a 6-3, RET. victory.
“I just hope it’s not anything serious,” Medvedev said of Bublik after the pair had shaken hands after 21 minutes. “I could see from the beginning of the match that he was struggling to move, so I needed to continue to try to win, because that’s the only way on the tennis court, but I just hope it’s nothing serious, and hopefully, he can come back as soon as possible.”
Medvedev will face Nikoloz Basilashvili for the title on Sunday. The Georgian qualifier edged Stefanos Tsitsipas in three tight sets, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, in Saturday’s first semifinal.
Basilashvili improved to 2-3 lifetime against Tsitsipas and reached his first ATP final since 2022 – and 10th overall. The 34-year-old is the fourth qualifier to reach an ATP final in 2026.
“I think I was trying to stay calm,” Basilashvili said of his ability to manage the tight encounter. “I got really tight at the end of the second set. I had many break points, many chances, and when you don’t use them you lose confidence a little bit.
“I managed to stay very focused on my serve, and when I had chances on his serve [in the third] I used them.”
Basilashvili has ensured himself a return to the Top 100 with his trip to the final.
Medvedev, who received a first-round bye, has dropped just 14 games en route to the final. He will hope that freshness can play a factor as the pair contest their second tour-level match.
“I’m feeling great here this week,” he said. “Today, unluckily for Sascha, but the previous two matches as well, were not too physical, so I’m feeling fresh, actually, and getting ready for the final – a very tricky opponent.”
Medvedev defeated Basilashvili 6-2, 6-2 in Vienna in 2022 in their only previous meeting.
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