Top seed Jannik Sinner is two wins away from regaining the Vienna title. World no. 2 is through to the semi-final in the Austrian capital following a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Alexander Bublik in an hour and 16 minutes.
The Italian bested the Kazakh for the sixth time in eight duels, serving superbly and maintaining the pressure on the other side. Alexander sprayed too many errors and experienced two breaks to hit the exit door.
The favorite took 20 points more than his rival. The 2023 champion dropped five points in his games and pressured his rival to follow that pace. Bublik lost 40% of the points in his games and got broken two times from eight chances offered to his rival.
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Jannik lost two points in his games in the first set, providing three bagels and steppingin on the return. The Kazakh faced issues right from the start, facing two break points in the opening game of the duel.
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He saved them and played against three more at 1-1. Alexander denied them with fine hitting and remained on the positive side. They served well in the upcoming games and reached 3-3.
Sinner stepped in on the return in game seven and generated a break that sent him in front. The top seed held at love in game eight and provided a hold at 15 at 5-4 to claim the first part of the duel in 37 minutes.
They provided four fine holds early in the second set. Jannik secured a break at 15 at 2-2 and moved closer to the finish line. World no. 2 held at love with a powerful serve a few minutes later to forge a 4-2 gap.
Sinner landed a return winner in game seven for a break chance. Alexander denied it with an ace and held to remain within one break deficit. The Italian drew the rival's mistake in the eighth game for another fine hold and 5-3.
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He served for the win at 5-4 and landed an ace to seal the deal and remain on the title course.
