Alexander Bublik was popular with the crowd following his Adelaide International quarter-final and not just because of victory over Lorenzo Musetti. The Kazakhstani came through a tough test 6-3 6-7 7-5 to book his place in the final four.
But the match will be as memorable for the mid-game antics of the 26-year-old as it will the result. Early in the deciding set, Bublik rushed in vain to his right to recover a Musetti cross-court forehand, but the ball bounced twice before he could reach it.
Unable to stop his momentum, Bublik found himself jumping over the spectator wall and into the crowd to avoid a collision. He ended up next to a spectator in the front row, who was holding up a large bag of Smith’s Cheese and Onion crisps.
After using the fan’s shoulder to steady himself, Bublik duly dipped his right hand into the bag and helped himself, putting a crisp into his mouth. To the credit of the spectator he saw the funny side, with he and others in his row laughing at the incident.
Bublik didn’t allow his concentration to be affected, recovering from losing the second set tie-breaker to come through a tense decider. The world No.31 is now just one win from a first final at the ATP event, which traditionally serves as a warm-up for the Australian Open.
The @TennisTV account lauded his antics, reposting the clip on social media with the caption: “Get the man a beer. Pure box office from Alexander Bublik at #AdelaideTennis.”
Fans were also impressed, with @Nickibarnet writing: “New favourite player.” @mnczuba added: “Off the rails and reaching straight for the bag.”
Things will get serious from Sunday for Bublik though, as he bids to improve on his poor record at the Grand Slam tournament at Melbourne Park. He’s never been beyond the second round of the event, and a year ago went down to a five-set defeat at the first hurdle to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
He’s yet to learn his opening opponent, despite the main draw being made. Like top seed Novak Djokovic, Bublik will take on a qualifier in the first round, with preliminary matches concluding today (Thursday).
