Bublik sets Rotterdam Round of 16 showdown with Struff after comeback thriller
Alexander Bublik booked a place in the Round of 16 at the Rotterdam Open with a gritty three-set comeback and now meets Jan-Lennard Struff, who raced through his opener in straight sets. Their clash will decide a quarterfinal berth at Rotterdam Ahoy later this week (ET).
The matchup at a glance
World number 10 Bublik faces Germany’s Struff in the last 16 at Rotterdam Ahoy for a spot in the final eight. The encounter pairs two contrasting routes into the round: Bublik arriving battle-tested after a marathon victory, and Struff riding the momentum of a commanding debut win. With both players carrying different kinds of confidence, the duel shapes as one of the round’s key storylines as the indoor hard-court event moves into midweek (ET).
Bublik’s fightback stuns Hurkacz
Bublik advanced after a dramatic win over Hubert Hurkacz, rallying 6-7 (2), 7-6 (1), 7-5. He dropped the opening-set tiebreak before falling behind in the second when Hurkacz broke and moved into position to serve for the match. A sudden run of three double faults cracked the door open, and Bublik stormed through, dominating the second-set tiebreak 7-1 to force a decider. In a tense third set that stayed on serve deep into the frame, Bublik made the decisive move in the 11th game and served it out for a statement victory.
The comeback underlined the Kazakhstani’s resilience under pressure and his aptitude for tight finishes indoors. With the win, bublik arrives in the Round of 16 having already navigated high-leverage points and momentum swings—experience that could prove pivotal against an opponent who thrives on quick starts.
Struff powers past Grenier
Struff reached the last 16 after dismantling Hugo Grenier 6-0, 6-4. The German set the tone immediately, winning the first eight games to seize a stranglehold on the match. Grenier responded by breaking at the start of the second set, steadying the contest and extending rallies, but Struff reasserted control late. With Grenier serving to stay in it, Struff broke in the 10th game to close out a clinical performance.
The win showcased Struff’s first-strike effectiveness and his ability to seize momentum early. Having conserved energy in a straight-sets outing, he enters the next round fresh and with the confidence that comes from a near-flawless opener.
Head-to-head and shifting momentum
Struff leads their head-to-head 4-1, a notable edge that reflects historical matchups. However, they have not faced each other since Bublik’s rapid rise over the past year, a period in which the world number 10 has elevated his level and results. That context flips the dynamic: while the record favors Struff, many will see Bublik as the present favorite based on ranking and recent trajectory. Even so, he will target a sharper display from the start against an opponent who can run away with sets once he gets rolling.
For Struff, the path is clear: impose early pace and keep the rallies short, as he did against Grenier. For Bublik, sustaining focus at key junctures—particularly when leading or defending serve late in sets—will be essential after the emotional swings of his opening match.
Keys to the contest
- Fast start vs. late-set nerve: Struff’s blistering beginning in round one contrasts with Bublik’s late-set excellence, highlighted by a dominant second-set tiebreak and a decisive break at 5-5 in the third against Hurkacz. The first four games could set the tone, but the outcome may hinge on who handles the closing stretches better.
- Scoreboard pressure: Struff excels when front-running, as seen by his eight-game surge to open his tournament. If Bublik absorbs that early punch and extends sets to tiebreaks, his confidence in pressure moments could tilt the balance.
- Momentum management: Bublik arrives match-hardened after saving a match teetering on the brink. Struff brings a clean sheet and conserved energy. The early exchanges may determine whether Bublik’s battle tolerance or Struff’s freshness proves more valuable indoors.
Outlook
This Round of 16 meeting carries both intrigue and contrast: Struff’s historical advantage against Bublik’s present-day form. Expect swings—Struff threatening to run hot in bursts, Bublik thriving when the margins shrink. With a place in the last eight on the line and both players buoyed by confidence for different reasons, the encounter sets up as one of Rotterdam’s marquee midweek showpieces (ET).
