WATCH: Alexander Bublik obliterates three rackets in the space of 30 seconds
The mercurial Alexander Bublik could soon find himself experiencing a racket shortage, especially if he continues to smash them into oblivion at the rate of knots.
Bublik won his one and only ATP singles title at the Open Sud de France last year, but his title defence came to a disastrous end in the first round on Wednesday.
He not only lost the match, but also his cool and three rackets as he went down in three sets against local hope Gregoire Barrere.
World No 75 Barrere made the better start as he broke in game 10 of the opening set and after no breaks of serve in the second set, it went to a tie-breaker. The Frenchman initially saved two set points before finding himself with a match point at 8-7, but this time the world No 50 held firm and he went on to save two more match points before edging the tie-breaker.
Bublik then had the initial advantage in the decider as broke to go 2-4 up, but Barrere hit back immediately and the rest of the set went according to serve.
Barrere then raced into a 6-0 lead in the tie-breaker and then all hell broke loose from Bublik’s end as he smashed three rackets.
The TRIPLE 😳😳😳#OSDF23 @OpenSuddeFrance pic.twitter.com/vTsNeFVJcA
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 8, 2023
It either gave Bublik a boost or put Barrere off as the Kazakh player saved another three match points to reduce the deficit to 6-3, but Barrere eventually got the job done to secure a 6-4, 6-7 (12-14), 7-6 (7-3) victory in two hours and 28 minutes.
Bublik, of course, is known for doing ridiculous things during matches and by ridiculous we don’t mean underarm serves and tweeners. We are referring to using the handle of his racket to play shots.
Last year at the Moselle Open he took on Lorenzo Sonego in the final and found himself 7-6 (7-3), 3-1 behind when he decided it was time to pull off the trick.
Bublik goes exhibition mode 👀@MoselleOpen pic.twitter.com/AdSbA7WFE2
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 25, 2022
He went on to lose the match 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
Back to February 2023 and up next for Barrere is Nikolos Basilashvili while the winner of that clash could face top seed Holger Rune in the quarter-final. The Dane takes on Marc-Andrea Hüsler in the second round on Thursday.
Second seed Jannik Sinner was also due to be in action, but the Italian received a walkover into the quarter-final after Marton Fucsovics withdrew due to a foot injury.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.
-
WTA Tour
Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement
Danielle Collins has responded to those who question why she has decided to retire from tennis at the end of the current season.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic’s problem is psychological’, assesses Roger Federer’s former coach
“Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside, otherwise he is missing something.”