Resilient Alexander Bublik becomes the first player to beat young sensation Ben Shelton on clay, advances to Round of 16 in Madrid Open

Alexander Bublik will face either Daniil Medvedev or Sebastian Korda in the Round of 16 of the Madrid Open.

Resilient Alexander Bublik becomes the first player to beat young sensation Ben Shelton on clay, advances to Round of 16 in Madrid Open

Alexander Bublik (Credit: Imago)

Alexander Bublik has been impressive this season despite exiting the first round of the 2024 Australian Open. In Madrid, he became the first player to defeat American star Ben Shelton on clay this season as he earned a place in the Round of 16.

On paper, Shelton was the favorite to beat Bublik at the Caja Majica. The American boasted 16 wins in 23 matches and was just returning from winning the U.S.

YouTube video

Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston early this month. However, it almost counted in the first round but Bublik rallied strongly to win the match 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4.

FS Video

During the match, both players struggled to gain control. Bublik made eight double faults against one by Shelton. But, eventually consolidated it by winning 80% and 76% of his first and second serve compared to 73% and 68% by Shelton. The World No.17 found the weak point to Shelton’s left hand by swinging the ball at the far right baseline.

This is the second time in Bublik’s career that he has won two consecutive matches. The hard-court master earlier beat Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the second round.

The first time Bublik won two matches in a clay event was in Rome last year. He had won the first round before defeating Shelton in the second round but eventually lost to Casper Ruud in the round of 32.

Alexander Bublik will now have to wait for the winner between Daniil Medvedev and American Sebastian Korda in the Round of 16. The tennis professional will be hoping to face Korda in the last 16, as Medvedev would be quite a difficult task to handle.

Alexander Bublik’s run of losses in March and April despite winning the Open Su de France

Since Alexander Bublik ended as runners-up in the Dubai Tennis Championship, he has failed to win two consecutive matches. The Open Su de France winner won only one match at the Sunshine Doubles in March while suffering back-to-back losses.

Alexander Bublik
Alexander Bublik (Credit: Tennis World USA)

He defeated Chinese Shaag Jucheng at the Indian Wells Masters but lost to Alex de Minaur in the Round of 32. He then succumbed to defeat against Italian Matteo Arnaldi 4-6, 1-6 in the second round. At Monte Carlo, he lost to Croatian Borna Coric in the second round.

Despite his poor performances in March and early April, the 26-year-old played his best tennis in February. Bublik won the Open de France, reached the quarterfinals of the Rotterdam Open, and reached the final in Dubai.

In case you missed it: