The Terra Wortmann Open finals are now set as Andrey Rublev and Alexander Bublik won their semifinal matches in straight sets on Saturday. Rublev defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 6-4 and Bublik beat Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-5. Both scores of the matches are a bit misleading, however.
In the Rublev match, there were long rallies that Rublev pulled out. The score could have easily been the exact opposite if Bautista Agut had just a little bit of luck. But Rublev’s 12 aces and winning 80 percent of his first serves were the difference in the match.
Rublev also had a ton more break-point opportunities than Bautista Agut. Rublev won four of his 12 break-points while Bautista Agut won just one of his six chances.
Terra Wortmann Open finals set as Andrey Rublev and Alexander Bublik win on Saturday
In the other semi, Bublik simply gave a masterclass on what to do with your first serve. He won 94 percent of his points against Zevrev when landing it in. He finished with 14 aces and shorten the match to just 88 minutes.
In fact, Rublev said after his match that he expects Sunday’s final in Halle, Germany to be one where points are ended quickly and Rublev doesn’t expect the same kind of long rallies he had against Bautista Agut. Basically, if you like your tennis new school versus something you might see in the early 80s, Rublev versus Bublik is going to be must-see TV for you.
Bublik is also making a huge jump in the ATP rankings by reaching the finals. He will move up 15 spots to number 33. But he can’t be discounted for a long run at Wimbledon because he has a near-perfect game for grass. Serve-and-volley will give you a chance on grass, and that is what Bublik does best.