There are days when tennis is more than forehands, serves, and shot tolerance—it becomes a mental tug-of-war, and on Thursday night in Paris, Taylor Fritz found himself trapped on the wrong side of it. The American walked into his Paris Masters clash (R16) against Alexander Bublik with confidence (having already won more than 50 matches this season) in his rhythm and purpose in his stride. It was a matchup laced with expectations—Fritz looking to end the season on a higher note, Bublik embracing the unpredictability that has defined his year. But…

As the match got underway in the bright lights of the La Defense Arena, the script took a turn that caught many by surprise. Bublik, who has built a reputation for mixing brilliance with audacity, sensed something unusual brewing across the net. Not in Fritz’s ball-striking—which has rarely faltered this season—but in the unspoken battle between conviction and hesitation. And when the final point sealed the result, the world number 16 didn’t mince his explanation.

After his 7-6(5), 6-2 win against the world number 4, Alexander Bublik said, “I think I used every chance I had except for the first set. I was really lucky at the tiebreak. He missed a couple easy shots that he usually doesn’t miss. I guess we’re in different positions now. He’s going to Turin. I’m still fighting to maybe be an alternate. I think also the mindset changed a bit. I’m not gonna say 100%, but I think he wasn’t as clutch as he usually is.” This was Bublik’s fifth win against a Top 10 player in 2025, and guess what? 

With this win, he has now taken his H2H record to 4-3 against Taylor Fritz. During the post-match interview, Bublik further went on to add, “I had a bit of a freedom, which he took from me in the past 3 meetings, where he actually killed me all the time. That’s what I felt different. Probably the slow court didn’t really favor him. I felt great today. My forehands were sitting in. I was hitting the spots. For me it’s the chances that I used and obviously him not being 100%, I think. Because he has a very important tournament to go. It’s way more important than beating me here, huh?”

However, Alexander Bublik’s remarks about Fritz’s gameplay weren’t a taunt. It was an honest observation—the kind only a competitor living in those high-pressure pockets of the sport truly recognizes. Fritz had his looks, his opportunities, and familiar pathways to control. But as Alexander Bublik applied just enough variety and dared him to respond with authority, the American’s sure-shot execution wavered. A missed forehand here, a second-serve gamble there—little cracks that Bublik pried open.

Taylor Fritz will leave Paris knowing he let the pressure seep in at the worst possible moments—that tiny lapse that separates a routine win from a painful early exit. For Bublik, it’s another reminder of how thin the margins are and how awareness, not just weapons, can tilt a match. But has this win also tilted his fortune?

Well, as things stand, Alexander Bublik is currently ranked 13th in the ATP Race to Turin, and hence, he is still mathematically in contention for the ATP Finals. It’ll be interesting to see if the Kazakh superstar makes an entry into this blockbuster year-ending tournament as an alternate. Speaking about the possibilities of making it to the 2025 ATP Finals, Bublik said, “Maybe the first time in my career, I have a big milestone really close to me. If I would just relax & say, ‘I’m tired, or I’m injured,’ I would just blame myself afterward.” Can Bublik now win the Paris Masters title and increase his chances further of qualifying for the 2025 ATP Finals?

Former tennis pro shares his thoughts on Alexander Bublik’s chances of winning the Paris Masters title

In tennis, there are grinders, there are fighters, and then there is Alexander Bublik—the man who once said he hated tennis but played it just for money. Today, he has become one of the most-watched stars on Tour. And in 2025, the tennis world isn’t laughing at his comments anymore. They’re watching in awe. 

The year hasn’t just been good for Bublik—it has been transformational. A season where the prankster matured into a genuine title contender, while never losing that wild-card flair that makes him, well…Bublik. He has won a total of four titles this season, and here are the numbers if we compare his last few seasons with what he has achieved in 2025 so far:

Talking about his stellar 2025 season during a previous interview with Sky Sports, Alexander Bublik said, “If you asked me if I could win three ATP 250 [tournaments], I’d probably say three is tough, probably one. I have won titles, but four is a lot. I was really mentally stable in the crucial moments…”

Speaking about his upcoming goals, he further added, “If I can touch the top 10, that’s going to be great for my history, and I have a chance to do that, I believe, because I don’t have many points to defend.” (Bublik is currently at 13th place in the ATP Live Rankings, and he has a gap of 565 points with the number 10, Casper Ruud.)

Alexander Bublik credits his simple mindset, “Don’t go crazy,” as the real secret behind his recent surge. But can he add yet another title to his bag in an already extraordinary 2025 season?

During a recent conversation on Sky Sports, former pro Colin Fleming spoke highly of the Kazakhstani star. He said, “The top half of the draw is open, after [Carlos] Alcaraz’s loss to [Cameron] Norrie. Of course, [Jannik] Sinner is the favorite for the tournament, but Bublik proved in Halle that he can beat Sinner, so it’s not impossible.” He further added, “Best season of his career, without a doubt, yes, it’s one more win than 2021, but look at the win %, 64%, four titles, he just seems to have found an emotional equilibrium.”

According to Fleming, becoming a father has helped Alexander Bublik get a nice perspective on things. But the question of the hour is, can Bublik beat the world number 6, Alex de Minaur, in the QF of the 2025 Paris Masters?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta