Whether a set down or match point down, Alexander Bublik did not let up last week at the Open Sud de France – Montpellier.
The second-seeded Kazakhstani was rewarded for his persistence on Sunday with his fourth ATP Tour title after he defeated Borna Coric in the championship match in southern France.
With his typically entertaining 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 victory, Bublik made history as the only player to win an ATP Tour event having lost the first set in each match he played.
“I was on the verge of losing in my opening round, now here I am standing with the title,” said Bublik, who saved a match point against Denis Shapovalov in his first win of the week, in his on-court interview.
“Thank you to the crowd for supporting me throughout.”
Having also lifted the trophy in Montpellier in 2022, Bublik joined home favourites Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet as a multiple-time champion at the indoor hard-court event.
The 26-year-old’s latest title run has also propelled him four spots to a career-high No. 23 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
“I’ve seen all these great [former] champions out there, and my face is [among them] in the stadium [because of 2022],” said Bublik when asked about his excellent record in Montpellier.
“Maybe if I continue playing like this, I will have more of my pictures here, so I’m really happy.”
Credit: ATP
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