Follow us on Google Discover Alexander Bublik picked up another big win in the third round of the Paris Masters.
The Kazakh star booked his place in the quarterfinals with a 7-6, 6-2 win over Taylor Fritz.
Fritz looked far from his best, as Bublik kept his faint ATP Finals hopes alive with an impressive performance.
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Beating Fritz, Bublik took the lead in their head-to-head 4-3, securing his first win over the American in four years.
After the match, Bublik gave his assessment of Fritz’s efforts, suggesting there was something unusual about his performance.
Alexander Bublik suggests Taylor Fritz’s ‘mindset’ may have changed after securing ATP Finals spot
During his on-court interview, Bublik gave his verdict on his straight-sets win over the world number four.
“I think I used every chance I had, almost every chance I had, except for the first set, I was really lucky at the end of the tiebreak, I mean, he missed a couple of shots that he usually doesn’t miss,” he said.
“We are in different positions now, he’s going to Turin, I’m still fighting maybe to be an alternate, so maybe the mindset changed a bit, I guess, I’m not saying 100%, but he was not as clutch as he usually is, so I had a bit of freedom, which he took from me in the past three meetings, when he actually killed me all the time.
“And the slow court probably didn’t favor him.
“I felt great today, I was hitting the spots, I used my chances, and then him not being 100%, because he has a very important tournament to go, it’s way more important than beating me here.”
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As Bublik mentioned, Fritz has qualified for the ATP Finals, while he himself, is still mathematically in contention.
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With the potential for players ranked above him to withdraw from the tour finals, Bublik wants to get as close to the coveted eighth spot as possible.
“For the first time in my career, I have a big milestone very close to me. I think if I were to relax and say I’m injured, I’m tired, I don’t want to play anymore, I would blame myself afterwards,” he said.
“You don’t have many chances to make the top 10 and to be an alternate of the finals, if you have this chance, you have to use it, give 100%.
“Next year I have to start defending my points, so it’s going to be a bit tougher, so now, for me, I’m closer to the goal I never thought I could achieve. With this, you have a bit extra inside of you, if you’re not cracking under the pressure.”
Bublik hasn’t cracked under the pressure yet, and will be tough to beat in the French capital…
Colin Fleming rates Alexander Bublik’s Paris Masters title chances, ‘it’s not impossible’
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Colin Fleming assessed Bublik’s chances of winning the Paris Masters.
“The top half of the draw is open, after [Carlos] Alcaraz’s loss to [Cameron] Norrie. Of course, [Jannik] Sinner is the favorite for the tournament, but Bublik proved in Halle that he can beat Sinner, so it’s not impossible,” he said.
Impressed with Bublik’s efforts in 2025, Fleming said he’s about to finish the best season of his career.
“Best season of his career, without a doubt, yes, it’s one more win than 2021, but look at the win %, 64%, four titles, he just seems to have found an emotional equilibrium,” he said.
Alexander Bublik’s season records
“I think becoming a father has helped, got a nice perspective on things. Got a great relationship with his coach, Artem Suprunov, and he is so dangerous here this week.”
Only time will tell how dangerous Bublik will prove to be in Paris, as he prepares to take on De Minaur in the quarterfinals on Friday, October 31.