As title contenders Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka finalise preparations for their opening campaigns at the Wimbledon Championships. A duo of Eastern European players are targeting the biggest wins of their career.
20-year-old Alexander Bublik will play his first ever main draw match in the tournament on centre court. His opponent will be defending champion Murray, who will be cheered on by the British crowd. Yet to break the top-100, he secured the entry with the help of a lucky loser position during what has been a roller coaster past week. In the final round of the qualifying tournament, he was edged out 12-10 by Germany’s Daniel Brands in the fifth set.
“In my life, I’ve never got a lucky loser spot – never. Even in juniors, I was never once a lucky loser. Now I’m playing Wimbledon for the first time, and playing the defending champion on Centre Court.” Said Bublik.
A former top-20 junior player, Bublik has shown signs of promise this season. At the Australian Open he stunned France’s Lucas Pouille in the first found. A month later he won his maiden Challenger title in Mexico. Known on the tour as a player with a big personality, Bublik credits his unpredictability to his rise up the rankings. This time last year he was 568th in the world.
“Why I am playing at this level is because my game is unpredictable,” he said. “I don’t even know what I’m going to do. I decide right before I hit. I don’t have a plan. I hope it’s five sets, not three. I guess I will get some show time.”
Medvedev’s rise
Whilst it is uncertain how much of a threat Bublik will pose against Murray, the same can’t be said about Daniil Medvedev’s match. Fresh off reaching the semifinals at Eastbourne, the Russian will play three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka.
“I have never beaten a top-10 (player) yet, but I hope it will come soon. I just want to learn match-by-match against all of these great opponents in the top 100.” Medvedev told atpworldtour.com.
“From the experienced players, I want to try and learn something from them, take something from them.”
Eyeing his first top-10 scalp, Medvedev has enjoyed a strong performance on the grass. As well as Eastbourne, the Russian also reached the last eight at Queen’s. He has won five matches on the grass so far the season, compared to none for Wawrinka. The run has elevated the 21-year-old to 49th in the world this week, his first time in the top-50.
“I’m just looking forward to this match. I hope I can show some good tennis.” He said.
“If I manage to do so I hope I can win the match. I hope to please the public with my performance. I am going to try to fight and I hope to make an upset.”
Medvedev, who has one Challenger title to his name, will also make his Wimbledon debut on Centre Court.
