Attempting three underhand serves in the same service game, in the middle of an ATP 250 final, is already daring. But Alexander Bublik did not stop there, this Sunday, at the close of the Metz tournament, won by the Italian Lorenzo Sonego (7-6, 6-2). The Kazakh giant indeed surprised everyone, at 1-3 in the second set, in his WTF management of a point scuttled at the net after a thunderous serve this time. Winner of Stan Wawrinka (quickly forfeited through injury) in the semi-finals, he turned his racquet over to attempt a smash with the handle.
This improbable fantasy obviously cost Alexander Bublik an extra point, and even a game. All smiles in the process, he received a few whistles, then loud applause from the Lorraine public, who are not likely to forget this blow anytime soon. Note that the whimsical 44th in the world is not at his first attempt. He had notably signed the same upside down smash or almost last March in Miami against Casper Ruud, this time with more success.