Generali Open: Bublik continues hot streak with back-to-back finals

Alexander Bublik is the man in form on the ATP Tour right now. The Kazakh, top seed, moved into the final of the Generali Open by winning against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4 at Kitzbühel Tennis Club in Kitzbuhel on Friday evening.

After claiming the title in Gstaad last week, the Kazakh has backed it up by reaching a second consecutive final, marking the first time in his career he’s made back-to-back finals on the ATP Tour.

With his victory over Botic van de Zandschulp on Friday, Bublik secured the 14th final of his career and his third of the 2025 season. He’ll now have the chance to capture his third title of the year on Saturday, something he’s never achieved before in a single season.

Bublik ended strong

Friday’s semifinal was briefly interrupted at 1-1 in the opening set. After failing to convert five break points, Bublik finally broke through on his sixth opportunity to go up 4-2. He then served solidly to maintain the lead and close out the set.

But the world No. 30 was caught off guard at the start of the second set. Van de Zandschulp made the most of his first break point, racing ahead 3-0, then 4-1. Still, Bublik refused to give in, winning the final five games of the match to seal his place in a second final in as many weeks.

“It’s never easy — you need a bit of luck and things have to go your way,” said Bublik after the match. “I’ll face Arthur in the final. I beat him last week, but he’s a very good, very dynamic player.”

Bublik, ranked No 30, will play Arthur Cazaux next. Saturday’s clash will be the third meeting between the two on the ATP Tour, with Bublik leading the head-to-head 2–0.

The Kazakh beat Alexander Shevchenko (6-4, 6-2) and Argentinian Thiago Agustin Tirante (6-3, 6-4) ahead of his victory.

In the previous rounds of the Kitzbuhel tournament, Van De Zandschulp, ranked No 103, defeated Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild (7-6 (2), 6-2), Austrian Filip Misolic (6-3, 7-6 (4)) and Chilean wildcard Nicolas Jarry (6-4, 4-6, 6-3).

Kitzbuhel ATP 250, other semi-final result (Kitzbühel Tennis Club, clay, EUR 596.035):

• Arthur Cazaux beat Arthur Rinderknech (6): 7-5, 6-3