Insolite - Bublik doesn't like mornings: "The key was to wake up".
The Kazakh is far from an ordinary player. His tennis is not ordinary, but his outspokenness is even less so. Despite his penchant for playing in faster conditions, the Kazakh showed his commitment to the game on Monday to eliminate Ben Shelton (3-6, 7-6, 6-4 in 2h08 of play). The world number 18, accustomed to playing poorly on clay, is taking advantage of the specific conditions in Madrid (due to the altitude) to rack up a few victories on the surface. After an excellent match (35 winners, 17 unforced errors, 8 aces, 7 break points saved), he seized his chance to topple a very good Shelton (9 aces, 38 winners, 3 unforced errors).
Interviewed by Tennis Channel about his superb victory, Bublik was again the main actor in an absolutely lunar sequence. Full of irony, he explained that the key had been to wake up: "The key was to wake up. Starting a match at 11 a.m. is pretty difficult for me, even though I've won both times I've played at that time this year. It's really hard to work at 11 o'clock. Honestly, who wakes up at 7 a.m.? You're a professional tennis player, in the top 20, you don't need to wake up. You should be able to relax more in your life."
In the next round, the irresistible Kazakh will face an equally strong-willed opponent, Daniil Medvedev. A promising round of 16.
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