Bublik seals another Halle title as Medvedev wait goes on
dpa
Halle, Germany
Kazahkstan's unseeded Alexander Bublik beat third seed Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) in the Halle final on Sunday to lay down a marker for Wimbledon.
Russian Medvedev was in his first final for 15 months, but will head into the grass grand slam on June 30 without a title since 2023. The 2021 US Open champion was behind on a host of metrics as he was broken in the first set.
Bublik, who also triumphed in Halle in 2023, was then equally assertive in the second set tie-break to triumph.
The 27-year-old, born in Russia, picked up his fifth career title having ousted world number one Jannik Sinner in the last 16 on the west German grass.
'It's tough to speak. I had such tough months since last Wimbledon to probably this summer,' said Bublik, who had recently dropped outside the top 75 in the rankings 'I was close to calling it quits after Wimbledon (in 2024), because I was not enjoying it anymore.
'Now this is happening. I don't know. Quarters at the French. Winner here. I have no words.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
19 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Alcaraz reveals top form as he regains Queen's crown
PA Media/DPA London Carlos Alcaraz looks in top form for Wimbledon after regaining his crown as the King of Queen's by beating Jiri Lehecka in an absorbing final on Sunday. The Spanish top seed replicated his debut triumph on the grass courts of west London in 2023 with a 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 victory. It was an 18th-straight win for Alcaraz - in his fifth consecutive final - following his title successes in Rome and at the French Open. World number 30 Lehecka had knocked out home hope Jack Draper on Saturday to become the first Czech finalist since Ivan Lendl won the Queen's title in 1990. The 23-year-old played his part in a high-quality final with some huge serves and powerful groundstrokes, forcing the match to a decider via a tie-break. But Alcaraz, the defending Wimbledon champion, did not face a single break point and slammed down 18 aces on his way to a 21st career title. In a way, proving he will be the man to beat at the grass Wimbledon grand slam from June 30. 'It's really special, this trophy and this tournament. I'm happy to lift this trophy once again,' he said. 'Jiri, you had an incredible week and it's a nightmare to play against you. Great week, great job and keep it up for Wimbledon. 'It has been an incredible week. I came without expectations and just wanted to play good tennis and to get used to the grass.' Alcaraz got a first look at a break point at 2-2, but he barely saw a furious ace that snuffed it out. At 4-5 the 22-year-old was in a spot of bother, serving at 0-30, but with a quick squeeze of the accelerator he reeled off eight of the next 10 points to hold and then grab the crucial break. Alcaraz had dropped just 10 points on serve before the second-set tie-break but he suddenly dropped his guard, with an untimely double fault and a pair of Lehecka aces taking the match the distance. But Lehecka dipped in the third with Alcaraz breaking for 3-1, and before long a flashing forehand brought up two championship points, the world number two taking the first and roaring with delight at a second Queen's title.
Qatar Tribune
19 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Bublik seals another Halle title as Medvedev wait goes on
dpa Halle, Germany Kazahkstan's unseeded Alexander Bublik beat third seed Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) in the Halle final on Sunday to lay down a marker for Wimbledon. Russian Medvedev was in his first final for 15 months, but will head into the grass grand slam on June 30 without a title since 2023. The 2021 US Open champion was behind on a host of metrics as he was broken in the first set. Bublik, who also triumphed in Halle in 2023, was then equally assertive in the second set tie-break to triumph. The 27-year-old, born in Russia, picked up his fifth career title having ousted world number one Jannik Sinner in the last 16 on the west German grass. 'It's tough to speak. I had such tough months since last Wimbledon to probably this summer,' said Bublik, who had recently dropped outside the top 75 in the rankings 'I was close to calling it quits after Wimbledon (in 2024), because I was not enjoying it anymore. 'Now this is happening. I don't know. Quarters at the French. Winner here. I have no words.'
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Klopp congratulates Liverpool on $173mn Wirtz deal: ‘It's going to be great'
DPA Berlin Jurgen Klopp has congratulated his former club Liverpool on the high-profile signing of Germany star Florian Wirtz. 'This is going to be absolutely fantastic, I'm sure of it,' the German said in an interview with RTL/ntv on Saturday. The English champions already had 'a fantastic team' last season under his successor Arne Slot, Klopp said. 'It's very hard to strengthen a team when you're champions. But Liverpool have managed it. They've signed an exceptional talent in Florian Wirtz. I'm looking forward to seeing it. It's going to be great.' Liverpool have signed the 22-year-old from Bundesliga runners-up Bayer Leverkusen, reportedly paying up to €150 million ($173 million) including bonus payments. The playmaker has signed a long-term contract. Wirtz is Liverpool's second signing of the summer, following close friend and Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong to Anfield, and with the Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvilli joining next month. The Reds will begin their Premier League title defence at Anfield on August 15 against Bournemouth.
