Impressive Bublik defeats Auger-Aliassime to reach Montpellier final
The Kazakh fought back from a set down to win for the third successive match in Montpellier, reaching his first ATP final since last October
© JB Autissier / Panoramic
Alexander Bublik fought back from a set down to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and reach the final of the Open de Sud in Montpellier in a high-quality match.
It was the Canadian who made the first move, breaking Bublik in the tenth and final game of the opening set to lead after a solid start from both players.
A single break in the fifth game of the second was all the Kazakh required to take that middle stanza and send the match into a deserved decider.
The pair exchanged breaks at the start of the third, before another break for Bublik in the seventh game proved decisive and he duly held serve from there to record a thoroughly impressive win over the world No 30.
auger-aliassime takes positive despite disappointment of defeat
“I’m obviously disappointed with the loss,” the Canadian said following the match.
“I still take some positives. There was a good level at times this week, and again today. It’s just a shame this lack of vigilance with a weak service game, mistakes that follow one another and it makes a big difference.
“Not being able to tighten the game on my serve… In the next few weeks, I have to find a way to win my service games more easily. I’ve been broken a lot this week, it’s complicated.”
enjoyment key to consistency for bublik
“The court suits me really well,” Bublik revealed after his win.
“I really like the city and the tournament. Besides, my family always comes to see me here. I’ve been working a lot on my defence this winter because it makes a difference these days, and it’s already paying off.
“I don’t really have any goals: I just want to stay healthy, play my game and have fun. I want to find consistency, that’s the most important thing.”
His victory moves Bublik level with Auger-Aliassime in their head-to-head record at 2-2. More significantly, however, it moves the Kazakh into a first ATP final since winning the European Open last October.
Bublik has had an eye-catching run to the final, coming back from a one-set deficit in each of his previous rounds against Denis Shapovalov and then Alexander Shevchenko to progress.
Awaiting in the final will be either top seed Holger Rune, or the perennially dangerous Croat Borna Coric, returning once again from another injury lay-off.
