Bublik reaches the first clay-court final of his career

Alexander Bublik confirms he’s reached a new level on clay! A quarterfinalist at Roland-Garros just a few weeks ago, the Kazakh player, seeded No. 2, advanced to the final of the Gstaad tournament this Saturday by defeating Frenchman Arthur Cazaux (6-1, 7-5).

It’s the first time in his career that the world No. 34 has reached the final of a clay-court tournament. He will play the 13th ATP final of his career on Sunday, having won five so far — the most recent one on the grass courts of Halle earlier this year.

Alexander Bublik was untouchable this Saturday on the clay in Gstaad. The Kazakh hit 35 winners, including 12 aces, and didn’t face a single break point. On the other side, Arthur Cazaux, who was playing his first ATP semifinal, couldn’t keep up and struggled with his serve.

A BUBLIK – CERUNDOLO FINAL

“I’m happy to be in the final because during my training before the tournament, my level of play was far from good,” said the Kazakh player after his victory on Saturday. He has yet to drop a set this week in Switzerland and will re-enter the Top 30 thanks to his impressive run.

Bublik, currently ranked No. 34 in the world, will face Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the final of the Swiss tournament. It will be the first meeting between the two players on the ATP Tour.

The Kazakh beat Argentinian Francisco Comesana, the No 7 seed (6-4, 6-3) and Alexander Shevchenko (6-2, 6-3) in the previous rounds of the Gstaad tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, Cazaux, ranked No 116, won against Swiss wildcard Jerome Kym (7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-5), Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the No 4 seed (6-3, 4-6, 6-4) and Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili (4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5)).

Gstaad ATP 250, other semi-final result (Roy Emerson Arena, clay, EUR 596.035):

• Juan Manuel Cerundolo beat Ignacio Buse (Q): 6-3, 6-3