“I’m Djokovic compared to him”: Bublik cruises through chaos to beat Hurkacz
In a match defined by erratic serving and unfiltered outbursts, Alexander Bublik survived a mental rollercoaster, and three match-point double faults from Hubert Hurkacz, to claim a baffling victory in Rotterdam.
Alexander Bublik, Rotterdam 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
In a match defined by erratic serving and unfiltered outbursts, Alexander Bublik survived a mental rollercoaster and three match-point double faults from Hubert Hurkacz to claim a baffling victory in Rotterdam on Wednesday.
The ABN AMRO Open is no stranger to drama, but the first-round clash between world number 10 Alexander Bublik and Hubert Hurkacz reached a level of absurdity that only Bublik could orchestrate. The 28-year-old Kazakh, seeded third in the tournament, eventually prevailed 6-7(2), 7-6(1), 7-5. However, the final score tells only half the story of a match the winner himself described as having a very low level.
The tension began early as Bublik struggled to find his rhythm. After dropping a tight first set to the 29-year-old Pole, who is currently ranked number 70, Bublik turned to his coach in exasperation, lamenting his luck in the draw. “Why me? Why always me?” Bublik vented. “Literally like 20 people cannot play tennis, look at the draw. And I play him”.
His frustration was rooted in a lopsided head-to-head record; entering the match, Hurkacz had dominated their previous meetings. Bublik later admitted that when he saw the draw, he initially questioned why he should even come to the tournament. He confessed that during the match, he had already packed his bags before the dramatic turnaround.
Ace, ace, double fault, double fault, ace, ace… what the f*** is that?
The match reached a fever pitch during the second set. Hurkacz, typically known for his clinical serving, became uncharacteristically volatile. Bublik, watching aces fly past him followed immediately by glaring errors, exploded: “Ace, ace, double fault, double fault, ace, ace… what the f*** is that? And they say I’m the one who has no rhythm? I’m f****** Djokovic compared to him.”
Post-match, the world number 10 stood by the comparison, framing it as a comment on tempo rather than pure talent. “I was not criticizing him, I was just stating the fact that he only made aces, double faults and a shank”, Bublik explained, quoted by Bolavip.com. “I looked like Djokovic because I actually had a rhythm, that is it”.
Bublik : “Low level match”
The climax occurred when Hurkacz served for the match, only to commit three inexplicable double faults. It was the only time in the entire match he faced a break point. Bublik was blunt about his fortune: “Today was a very low level match. I was lucky to win, I didn’t deserve the win, but he just gave me the match. I didn’t do anything well.”
For his part, Hurkacz remained diplomatic despite the loss on his 29th birthday. When asked if he found the Djokovic comment disrespectful, he simply replied, “I don’t want to comment on that”. Bublik now advances to play Jan-Lennard Struff in the next round.
Rotterdam ATP 500 1st round results
A. de Minaur (1) – A. Fils: 7-6[3], 6-2
S. Wawrinka (WC) – T. Boogaard (LL): 6-3, 6-4
B. van de Zandschulp – L. Pavlovic (Q): 7-6[3], 6-3
S. Tsitsipas – A. Rinderknech (8): 7-5, 6-3
U. Humbert – D. Medvedev (4): 7-6[4], 3-6, 6-3
G. Den Ouden (WC) – M. Fucsovics: 7-6[5], 6-1
C. O’Connell (Q) – V. Royer: 6-4, 4-6, 7-6[4]
C. Norrie (6) – R. Bautista Agut: 7-6[3], 6-1
K. Khachanov (5) – J. de Jong: 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
J. Munar – N. Budkov Kjaer (WC): 6-1, 6-3
J. Struff – H. Grenier (Q): 6-0, 6-4
A. Bublik (3) – H. Hurkacz: 6-7, 7-6, 7-5
T. Griekspoor (7) – C. Mpetshi Perricard: 6-4, 6-4
D. Halys – M. Rottgering (Q): 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
H. Medjedovic (LL) – Z. Bergs: 7-6[5], 7-6[6]
A. Popyrin – F. Auger-Aliassime (2): Today
