Bublik breaks Medvedev duck as he wins Halle for second time in three years
The Kazakh will now be seeded at Wimbledon following his triumph
© David Inderlied/DPA/SIPA
Alexander Bublik completed an incredible week as he beat Daniil Medvedev – for the first time in seven meetings – to win the Halle Open for the second time in three years.
The Kazakh, a quarter-finalist at the French Open earlier this month, came from 4-1 down in the second tiebreak 6-3, 7-6 (4) for his fifth career title, having lost eight of his first 10 matches this year.
Bublik, who beat world No 1 Jannik Sinner in the second round, hit 11 aces and served brilliantly throughout, accepting the tophy from Boris Becker, the former world No 1.
“It’s tough to speak,” Bublik said. “I had such tough months, since last Wimbledon until thie susummer. I was close to calling it quits after Wimbledon because I was not enjoying it anymore. I don’t know, quarters French, winner here, I have no words.”
“From the mental point of view that’s the toughest match I ever played in my life. I had never beaten Daniil. He’s a super tough player to play, especially with my gamestyle, and today everything clicked in mentally and physically. That’s one of the wins of my career and I’m really humbled to stay here and enjoy the moment.”
Bublik will now be seeded at Wimbledon, which will be a relief to his rivals, given his form this week and Medvedev, who admitted he’d had a better week than expected, said he will be dangerous at the All England Club.
“I hope you are in Carlos’s (section) of the draw, ” Medvedev said, smiling. “Maybe we will have a sensation in the third or fourth round. Carlos or Jannik’s part of the draw, please.”
