Bublik hits six underarm serves in one game, holds from 0-40 down during loss to Mpetshi Perricard
Alexander Bublik has never been a stranger to the underarm serve. However, he took the strategy to another level on Friday in Lyon.
Alexander Bublik – Lyon 2024 © Tennis TV
Alexander Bublik may have lost to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the semi-finals of the Open Parc Lyon on Friday afternoon, but he did not go down before making headlines.
Serving at 1-3 in the first set, Bublik held serve from 0-40 down while hitting a total of six underarm serves. Here is what happened on each of the six:
0-40: Bublik wins the point with a backhand winner off Mpetshi Perricard’s return
15-40: Bublik wins the point with a forehand winner off Mpetshi Perricard’s return
30-40: Mpetshi Perricard misses a backhand return
40-40: Mpetshi Perricard hits a forehand return winner
Ad-40: Mpetshi Perricard hits a backhand return winner
Ad-40: Mpetshi Perricard misses a backhand return
Although Bublik enjoyed some success with the underarm strategy, it wasn’t enough to get the win. Mpetshi Perricard eventually pulled off a 6-4, 7-5 upset.
The 20-year-old Frenchman will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Saturday’s final. It’s unlikely he will be returning any underarm serves from the Argentine.
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