Bublik beats Rublev for biggest career title

Alexander Bublik earned the most prestigious title of his career on Sunday as he controlled Andrey Rublev 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to win the ATP Halle event.

The Kazakh, earned his second trophy little more than a year after his first; he also took his first honour on grass.

His 26th ranking as a result of the success over the ATP No. 7 will be good for a Wimbledon seeding when play starts at the All England Club a week from Monday.

Bublik dominated in the opening set, lost his way as Rublev rallied in the second but began the third with an early break to complete the upset over a player who had beaten him in all three of their previous meetings.

“This means the world to me, I’ve struggled for half a year,’ said the player who lost his first eight matches this season.

“Maybe this is a reward – I don’t take it for granted, it’s hard work.”

Bublik threw down 21 aces among his 41 winners in a victory which took 96 minutes.

“I could not imagine winning the tournament here,” he said. “I’m really, really happy.

“Beating an established Top 10 player like Andrey was a real challenge, I’m happy to get through.”

Rublev had won 10 of his previous 13 Halle matches, playing the final in 2021 against Frenchman Ugo Humbert.

Bublik had lost two previous grass court finals, both in Newport, US; his only ATP trophy came last season in Montpellier.