Alexander Bublik beats Arthur Fils in Antwerp to land third ATP Tour title - 'It means the world to me'
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Published 22/10/2023 at 18:36 GMT
Alexander Bublik beat France's Arthur Fils 6-4 6-4 to win the European Open and his third ATP Tour title. The 26-year-old needed just 75 minutes to blast past his opponent in straight sets in Antwerp, using his serve to gain the upper hand and then seal the victory with an ace. The win will propel Bublik back into the top 30 in the world when the ATP Rankings update on Monday.
Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik celebrates with the trophy after winning the Men's Singles final match against France's Arthur Fils at the European Open Tennis ATP tournament in Antwerp, October 22, 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images
Alexander Bublik turned in a dominant display of serving to beat Arthur Fils in straight sets in the final of the European Open.
The Kazakhstani broke his opponent in each set and withstood the pressure applied by Fils to win 6-4 6-4 in Antwerp and land his third ATP Tour title.
“I was pretty much serving all match,” Bublik said. “I told Arthur I was very lucky to beat him in a final before he becomes the next big thing.
“That was the only option I had, and I executed it well.”
The match went with serve in the first set until Bublik struck in the fifth game, breaking to 15 to move 3-2 clear.
Fils had a chance to draw level again at 3-4 but couldn’t convert before Bublik sealed the set at the second time of asking.
The third seed pressed home his advantage at the start of the second, breaking Fils in the opening service game before consolidating to move a set and 2-0 ahead.
Bublik faced two break points at 2-3 but was equal to everything his French opponent threw at him and held on for a victory that was built on an attacking serving performance.
The 26-year-old hit 11 aces and won 97% of points behind his first serve and will return to the top 30 when the ATP Rankings next update.
“Honestly, when we won the second title, I [thought], ‘Maybe that’s it, maybe we will never win another one’,” he added.
“It was the greatest feeling ever, so being here again, winning another title, it means the world to me.”
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