Alexander Bublik just made his impressive season even better at the Paris Masters. The Kazakh earned a top-10 victory over Alex de Minaur in the quarter-final, prevailing 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 in two hours and 22 minutes.
Thus, Alexander advanced to his first Masters 1000 semi-final at 28, breaking new ground and keeping his slim chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals alive. Bublik is positive versus the top-10 opponents this season.
Alexander dropped a tight opener against Alex but kept his composure. The Kazakh provided two breaks in sets two and three to emerge at the top and oust the rival who booked his spot at the ATP Finals a day earlier.
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The 13th seed provided flawless tennis behind the first serve but struggled behind the second. However, he denied both break points and mounted the pressure on the other side.
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Alexander generated five break points and seized two to emerge at the top. The Kazakh landed44 winners and 54 unforced errors. He trailed from the baseline but reduced the deficit at the net.
They stayed neck and neck in the shortest, mid-range and most advanced rallies while staying neck and neck all the time. De Minaur saved a break point in the eighth game of the opening set.
He missed his chance on the return at 5-5, as they embraced a tie break. Alex led 3-1 before dropping four straight points. Still, he earned a set point at 6-5 and converted it after the rival's forehand error for 7-6 in 54 minutes.
Alexander clinched a break in the third game of the second set with a forehand return winner. He saved a break point in the sixth game and remained in front. The 13th seed served for the set at 5-4 and fired an ace for a hold at 15, forcing a decider after an hour and 31 minutes.
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They served well in the first eight games of the final set. De Minaur survived a massive scare in the ninth game, denying two break points and remaining on the positive side.
Bublik closed the tenth game after a fine attack and made a decisive push on the return in the next one. Alex sprayed a costly double fault on a break point, falling behind allowing his rival to serve for the win.
Alexander fired an ace on a match point at 6-5, sealing the deal and moving into his first Masters 1000 semi-final.
