Alexander “The Bublik Enemy” Bublik has edged Stefanos “El Greco” Tsitsipas in the longest-ever sudden death match of UTS history, defeating the former world No 3 20-12, 11-17, 18-17, 10-20, 5-3 on Thursday at UTS New York.
The match – which was the third quarter-final of the day at Forrest Hills Stadium – also saw Bublik become just the second man in the UTS New York line up to steal a quarter. The Bublik Enemy came back from 17-11 down in the third quarter, playing clutch tennis to win seven consecutive points and claim the quarter.
“That was the most nervous match for me I ever played because the sudden death kills me,” the Kazakh said after his win. It takes five years of my life every time. I have played two. So minus 10 probably after your life. Given the fact that it’s not an official tour, there is not much on the line, but for me, I don’t know why, but I feel such a need in these wins, like at this format especially I have less tension when I was playing when I was playing for the for Halle title.
Bublik is a UTS veteran, having played the format four times now. However, against El Greco, he put together his most complete UTS performance, backed by some incredible underpressure serving.
Consistently, Bublik would dig himself out of tight spots by making big serves – including en route to stealing the third quarter. “Do you know what the chance is to make it, that last serve?” Bublik asked the commentators between quarters after another brilliant display of clutch serving.
“It’s about the same as getting a three in blackjack when you’re on 18.”
Bublik will play in tomorrow’s semi-finals, while Tsitsipas also plays on Saturday in a consolation match.
