Alexander Bublik came back from one set down to beat 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka 3-6 7-5 6-2 on Court Rainier III in 2 hours and 5 minutes reaching the second round at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.
Both players traded breaks in the first two games of the opening set. Wawrinka earned his second break in the sixth game and held his next two service games to seal the first set 6-3.
Bublik saved break points at 1-2 and 2-3 in the second set. Wawrinka saved three set points on serve at 4-5 to hold serve for 5-5. Bublik closed out the second set 7-5 with a break on his fourth set point in the 12th game.
Bublik went up a double break in the second and sixth games to race out to a 5-1 lead. Wawrinka pulled one break back in the seventh game at deuce for 2-5. Bublik sealed the win with a break in the eighth game.
“I think the body’s getting much better. I am still far away from where I want I want to be, but I think I am going in the right direction. I think today was a positive match. It was a tough loss, but I am happy with the way I was playing today. I was playing better, feeling better on the court of course physically. I spent a lot of mental energy to focus, to stay there as it was tough at the end, but I am happy with what I have done today”, said Wawinka.
