Halle Open: Bublik stuns world No. 1 Sinner!

Alexander Bublik delivered one of the biggest shocks of the grass-court season on Thursday, defeating world No. 1 Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle to reach the quarterfinals and end the Italian’s 56-match win streak against players not named Carlos Alcaraz.

The 27-year-old Kazakh, known for his flamboyant style and tactical unpredictability, produced a fearless performance to overcome a set deficit and record his first top-5 win of the season. It was also his second career victory over a reigning world No. 1.

Bublik, ranked No. 43 in the world and the 2022 champion in Halle, relied on a mixture of aggressive serving, deft touch, and unorthodox variety, including multiple underarm serves, to disrupt Sinner’s rhythm on the German grass. He saved eight of nine break points and won 83% of points on his first serve.

Bublik : “Something different”

“I just went out there to enjoy the match,” Bublik said on court after the win. “Jannik is one of the toughest players in the world right now. You can’t beat him by doing what everyone else does. You have to bring something different.”

Sinner, who captured his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and reached the final of Roland-Garros earlier this month, looked sharp early as he took the opening set 6-4. But Bublik elevated his level in the second set, breaking midway through and fending off pressure with a series of bold second serves and well-timed net approaches.

The final set followed a similar pattern: Sinner had his chances, particularly at 2-2 and 3-3, but Bublik stayed composed and broke the Italian late to serve out the match in one hour and 55 minutes.

“I had opportunities, but I didn’t take them,” Sinner admitted afterward. “He played well, served great, and used the surface to his advantage. I’ll take the lessons from this and get ready for Wimbledon.”

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Sinner beaten by someone else than Alcaraz

The loss marked Sinner’s first defeat to a player not named Carlos Alcaraz since the Canadian Open 2024, where he lost to Andrey Rublev on August 11th. It also interrupted what had been a near-perfect season for the 22-year-old, who holds a 22-3 match record in 2025. Bublik also became the first player outside of the Top 20 to defeat Sinner since Cincinnati 2023 (Lajovic)

For Bublik, the win reignites memories of his breakout title run in Halle three years ago and puts him back into the spotlight just two weeks before Wimbledon, and two weeks after his quarter-finals at Roland-Garros, where he was smashed by… Sinner.

When asked about his goals, the Kazakh kept it typically light-hearted. “My goal is to enjoy myself and maybe win a few more matches,” he smiled. “Grass is fun when the bounces go your way.”

Bublik will face Tomas Machac in the quarterfinals, with a potential semifinal against Karen Khachanov (N.8) or Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

Halle ATP 500, other second-round results (Owl Arena/Gerry-Weber-Stadion, grass, EUR 2.522.220, most recent results first):

• Alexander Zverev (2) beat Lorenzo Sonego: 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2)
• Tomas Machac beat Fabian Marozsan: 6-2, 6-3
• Tomas Martin Etcheverry beat Andrey Rublev (4): 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6)
• Flavio Cobolli beat Denis Shapovalov: 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-6 (5)
• Karen Khachanov (8) beat Felix Auger-Aliassime: 6-3, 1-6, 6-3
• Alex Michelsen beat Stefanos Tsitsipas: 7-6 (5), 7-5
• Daniil Medvedev (3) beat Quentin Halys: 6-2, 7-5