Bublik Frustrates Murray In Newport QFs

Alexander Bublik and Andy Murray have become familiar opponents this season on the ATP Tour. Their Friday meeting at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open was their fourth of the season, with Bublik securing a split of those matchups with a 7-5, 6-4 victory in Newport.

The Kazakh third seed earned a measure of grass-court revenge after Murray defeated him in straight sets in Stuttgart last month. The Briton went on to advance to the final in Germany, and now Bublik will hope to do the same in Rhode Island, where he reached the title match in 2019.

"It's great to be in the semi-finals again. I never lost before," he said with a smile, alluding to his 1-0 record at that stage in Newport. "I came here only for one week, so I have to [be engaged]. I'm engaged to play, I'm engaged to try to get as many matches as I can."

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Bublik was in command against the former World No. 1, pulling Murray around the court with strong serving and aggressive ground strokes as he won 80 per cent of his first-serve points. While his drop shot was not firing on all cylinders, Bublik did his damage with power rather than touch.

He claimed a late break in the opening set by firing a backhand winner to cap a marathon point. After an early break in the second, Bublik looked set to run away with the match before Murray instantly levelled, both breaks coming on untimely double faults.

Bublik then saved a break point to hold for 3-3 before securing a decisive break in the following game as he continued to pressure Murray off the ground. The Briton fought off two match points in the final game — including one on a lung-busting rally — but could not prevent Bublik from securing his place in the semi-finals.

The third seed awaits the winner of Friday's second quarter-final between Australians James Duckworth and Jason Kubler.

Murray's quarter-final run moved him up three places to No. 49 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. He is now 19-11 on the 2022 season, including a 7-3 mark on grass.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/nA0ravP