It was meant to be for Alexander Bublik this week at the 2024 Montpellier Open as the Kazakhstani player won another three-set match to lift the trophy.
This has been quite a week for Bublik at the ATP 250 event in Montpellier. The player arrived in the French city after losing early at the Australian Open, but things changed.
He won a couple of matches, a couple of tough ones, having to play three sets in all of them. This final match against Borna Coric was basically the same as he once again had to play three sets after losing the opening set, but it was worth it as he won.
Like the last time they played, Bublik simply overwhelmed the Croatian from the baseline. The win condition for Coric was serving well, and while he did pretty well, it wasn't sharp enough.
Bublik can return really well, and he did that for a good part of today. The aggression he brings to most rallies is the most difficult to handle in a match against him. He's not as consistent with it as he was this week, but sometimes things simply click.
Having won a trophy in Montpellier before certainly added to the comfort level for Bublik, who never looked in trouble. Even after throwing away the lead in the opening set, Bublik continued to play according to his plan, and things worked out.
The first set saw Bublik throw away a 3-0 early lead to lose it 5-7. Coric could keep him away from too many chances, and it worked out. The second set saw Bublik outplay the Croatian with his returns and cruised 6-2.
He carried over some of that momentum early in the 3rd set, taking a 3-0 lead. Coric would give it his all to try and overturn the result; despite some chances, he wouldn't get it done. The final score was 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 for Bublik, who won his fourth career ATP Tour-level trophy.
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