Open Sud de France: Alexander Bublik qualifies for the final after a big fight against Felix Auger-Aliassime

The N.2 seed beat the N.3 in the first semi-final. Free Midi – Alexandre Dimou

The Kazakh Alexander Bublik (27th in the world) qualified for the final of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, Saturday February 3, thanks to his victory against Felix Auger-Aliassime (30th) 4-6 , 6-4, 6-4 after a big fight lasting almost 2 hours 40 minutes. 

Winner of his first tournament on the circuit in Montpellier in 2022, Alexander Bublik is enjoying the Sud de France Arena. Seeded N.2 in the Hérault tournament, the Kazakh won against the Canadian after being down one set zero, as since the start of the week against Denis Shapovalov (1-6, 7-6 [ 12], 6-3) and Alexander Shevchenko (4-6, 6-3, 6-4).

While he will reach his best ranking at the next ATP, with a minimum 23rd place, Bublik will play his tenth final on the circuit to aim for a third title after Montpellier therefore, Halle and Antwerp last year. It will be against Holger Rune or Borna Coric, who face each other in the second semi-final.

Very competitive beginnings of sets in the first and third

After a first service game from Auger-Aliassime which lasted six minutes, auguring the rest of the match, the two men did not break in the first set, despite games hooked. The Canadian, who defeated Arthur Cazaux when he entered the fray, still managed to take the Kazakh's service after some nasty mistakes from the latter, to lead 1-0. 

At the start of the second set, FAA then did quite well with great success, erasing two break points from the start. But Bublik came back at 2-2 thanks to a poor service game from Auger-Aliassime to lead until the end of the set. During the latter, the Canadian believed he could break the break at the best moment, erasing three set points and obtaining a break point. In vain since Bublik equalized on the fourth set ball.

The last round started like the first on Auger-Aliassime's serve, with a game lasting 17 minutes (!), finally won by Bublik after the fourth break point. Although he returned to 2-2 immediately after, the Montreal native was caught at 3-3. Bublik serving very well at 5-4, including an ace on second ball, to reach the final.