Alexander Bublik knocked out Richard Gasquet from the Open 13 Provence on Tuesday. He marked the end of the Frenchman’s career at the Marseille tournament. Bublik earned his 100th hard-court win on the ATP tour by securing a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Despite an early 0-3 deficit, the Kazakhstani turned the match around with his aggressive gameplay, finishing with 37 winners, including 13 aces.
The former World no. 7, Gasquet, was hoping to become the oldest match winner in the history of the tournament at 38th position. He remains to be the youngest to be in this position, having beaten Feliciano Lopez as a 16-year-old in 2003. Bublik acknowledged Gasquet’s remarkable career, calling him a French tennis legend.
Next, Bublik faces defending champion Ugo Humbert in the second round, a rematch of their 2024 Dubai final.
Elsewhere, Portugal’s Nuno Borges pulled off a greater comeback against Stand Wawrinka, winning by 6-7(4), 7-6(1), 6-3. The 8th seed, who reached the Auckland semi-finals earlier this year, will now take on Zizou Bergs, who defeated Clement Chidekh.
Germany’s Daniel Altmaier breezed past Luca Nardi 6-2, 6-2, and will meet Otto Virtanen next. Luca Van Assche faced Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi by saving 2 match points before sealing a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(7) win. He then moved to face the 7th seed, Lorenzo Sonego.
Jan-Lennard Struff also advanced, edging Manuel Guinard 7-5, 7-6(4) in a match where he fired 18 aces. The German needed just under two hours to find his spot in the second round.