Photo Source: TTV
Alexander Bublik had difficulty sleeping last night. Normal, for a guy who just notched his first ever win over a reigning World No.1.
Bublik, who stunned Jannik Sinner in three sets on Thursday, must have – eventually – woken up on the right side of the bed. He was back to work with purpose on Friday as he battled past Tomas Machac in Halle, 7-6(2) 6-3, to reach the semifinals.
Bublik, who will face Karen Khachanov on Saturday for a spot in the final, has now won nine of his last ten at the German grass court event. “I didn’t have a really good night of sleep,” Bublik said after his win. “I tried to keep focused but of course there were thoughts and I was receiving a lot of messages on social media.
“But I’m really happy that I was controlling the match. I lost it a bit at the beginning of the first set – he had some crazy lucky shots and he took my serve – but I was solid enough to take the tiebreak and keep it straight with two breaks. I’m really happy to save the energy.”
2023 champion Bublik lost his only meeting with Khachanov, who defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 6-2.
Daniil Medvedev kept alive his bid for a 21st career title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Alex Michelsen, while Alexander Zverev toppled Flavio Cobolli, 6-4 7-6(6).
It will be the 20th career meeting between the pair, with Medvedev holding the 12-7 edge, including six of the last seven. The pair have never played before on grass.