World no. 27 Alexander Bublik claimed his second Montpellier title within three years. Alexander met Borna Coric in the title clash and scored a 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 triumph in two hours and 18 minutes, overcoming a slow start in the fourth straight match and lifting his fourth ATP title in a career. Borna reached his first ATP final since winning the 2022 Cincinnati Masters, making a good start but losing ground in sets two and three. Bublik fired 19 aces and won 80% of the points behind the first serve. He struggled on the second serve and played against seven break points, defending five and keeping the pressure on the other side. Borna failed to excel behind the first serve, playing against nine break points and suffering four breaks to finish runner-up.
Alexander Bublik, Montpellier 2024© Stream screnshot
The Croat made an impressive comeback in the opening set from 4-1, 40-15 down but could not use that boost and bring the victory home. Bublik held at love in the encounter’s first game and cracked a forehand down the line winner for a break point in game two. Alexander clinched an extended rally after an entertaining exchange to seize it and build an early advantage. The Kazakh came from 30-0 down in the fifth game and closed the game with booming serves for a 4-1 lead. The Croat sprayed a couple of errors in the sixth game, facing two break points and smashing his racquet in anger. It did the job and Coric rattled off four straight points to bring the game home and launch his comeback.
Alexander Bublik conquered Montpellier over Borna Coric.
Borna forced Alexander’s mistake in the seventh game, pulling the break back and returning to the positive side. They served well until 5-5 before Coric secured another break with a forced error for a 6-5 advantage. Borna served for the set in game 12 and seized the third set point with a service winner for 7-5 after 57 minutes. Bublik served better in the second set, producing four fine holds and stealing Coric’s serve two times. Borna saved two break points in the second game before losing serve at 15 at 1-2 to find himself behind. The Croat netted a running forehand at the net in the seventh game, pushing the Kazakh 5-2 up and closer to the set. Alexander broke at love in game eight after Borna’s loose volley, wrapping up the set 6-2 and gathering a boost ahead of the decider.
Alexander Bublik, Montpellier 2024© Stream screenshot
The better-ranked player cracked a forehand winner in the first game of the decider and landed a smash winner in the next one for a break and a 2-0 advantage. The Kazakh fired an ace in the third game, cementing the lead and moving closer to the finish line. Bublik erased two break points in the fifth game with winners and held with a powerful serve for a 4-1 advantage. Alexander squandered a 40-0 lead in the seventh game and played against two break points. The Kazakh denied them with winners and closed the game after a forced error, moving 5-2 in front. Borna served to stay in the match in game eight and held at love to extend his chances. However, Alexander held at 30 at 5-3 to bring the victory home and celebrate his fourth ATP title.
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