Kazakh tennis player Alexander Bublik reaches Almaty Open quarterfinals without playing
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The gist
Kazakh tennis player Alexander Bublik advanced to the Almaty Open quarterfinals after Fabian Marozsan withdrew ill.
He next faces fifth seed Karen Khachanov, the 2024 champion, in his first match.
Background
Alexander Bublik is a Kazakh tennis player, the highest-ranked Kazakh in the Almaty Open draw and world No. 22, seeded third at the ATP 250 tournament in Almaty. He has reached the top 10 and won several titles despite an unconventional approach, and is 29-18 this season with one title. The news centers on his progress at his home-country event, where he got a first-round bye and then a walkover into the quarterfinals.
How it unfolded
- Oct 7, 2026Bublik received a first-round bye at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
- Oct 9, 2026He beat Tomas Machac 6-7, 6-4 in the Shanghai Masters second round.
- Oct 11, 2026He beat Brandon Nakashima 6-7, 6-3, 7-6 in the third round.
- Oct 13, 2026He lost to top seed Alexander Zverev 6-7, 6-4, 6-7 in the round of 16.
- Oct 19, 2026Bublik, seeded third, received a bye in the Almaty Open third round.
- Oct 20, 2026Ranked world No. 22, he warned young players against copying his style, saying hard work, discipline and routine are essential.
- Oct 22, 2026He advanced to the Almaty Open quarterfinals without playing after Fabian Marozsan withdrew because of illness; he was scheduled to face fifth seed Karen Khachanov.
Who’s saying what
- Caution
- Bublik said there will always be a place on tour for atypical players like him, but that place remains very limited, and that he would never teach anyone to play like him if he became a coach.
- Expert
- Bublik said the routine is the same for everyone and he has simply found a way to survive it while keeping his emotions alive, whether positive or negative.
- Support
- After his Laver Cup debut for Andre Agassi-led Team World, Bublik called it an absolutely unique experience and a truly magical tournament.
Still unverified
In a 2025 interview with Bounces, Bublik said the Laver Cup is an exhibition and claimed he would have to be South American or North American to play it, adding that captains always choose those who speak English and think the 'World' is America.