bublik shocks hurkacz in rottardam thriller
Rotterdam, woensdag, 11 februari 2026.
aleksander bublik stunned top seed hubert hurkacz in a dramatic three-set battle at the abn amro open. the kazakh player triumphed 6-7(2), 7-6(1), 7-5 in nearly two and a half hours, overcoming a dominant favorite in front of a packed rotterdam ahoy crowd. despite being ranked outside the top 50, bublik held firm in crucial moments, saving break points and firing 10 aces. hurkacz fought hard, converting none of his three breakpoint chances, while bublik edged the final set 7-5. this marked a major upset, flipping their head-to-head record and ending hurkacz’s title defence before it began. the polish no. 1 entered as reigning champion and heavy favorite, making bublik’s victory even more striking. it’s a breakthrough moment on the atp tour for the aggressive baseliner.
bublik shocks hurkacz in rotterdam thriller
Aleksander Bublik defeated top seed Hubert Hurkacz in the first round of the 2026 ABN AMRO Open, winning 6-7(2), 7-6(1), 7-5 in a grueling 2-hour and 25-minute clash [1]. The Kazakh player saved key break points and struck 10 aces, overcoming Hurkacz who failed to convert any of his three breakpoint opportunities [1][3]. Despite entering as defending champion and world No. 10, Hurkacz could not maintain control, particularly in the decisive third set which Bublik captured 7-5 [1][4]. This result marks a significant upset, altering their head-to-head record to 2-6 in favor of Bublik [1].
strategic resilience secures breakthrough win
Bublik’s aggressive baseline game proved pivotal in shifting momentum during critical phases of the match [1]. Although Hurkacz dominated the first-set tiebreak, Bublik adjusted his return strategy, neutralizing Hurkacz’s forehand strength [1][3]. The second set saw intense pressure on both serves, culminating in a tight tiebreak where Bublik prevailed 7-1 [1]. In the final set, Bublik held serve under constant threat, demonstrating composure absent from prior encounters [1][4]. His ability to limit unforced errors late in the match contrasted sharply with Hurkacz’s mounting frustration [3].
aftermath and implications for atp standings
With the victory, Bublik earned €16,810 in prize money, increasing his total season earnings to €36,015 [1]. Advancing to the next round presents an opportunity to gain further ranking points, with a potential additional €31,455 on offer if he progresses to subsequent stages [1]. For Hurkacz, the early exit halts his title defense prematurely, impacting his ATP ranking trajectory [4]. The loss disrupts his hardcourt preparation ahead of upcoming Masters 1000 events [GPT]. Bublik’s performance cements his reputation as an unpredictable force on indoor courts [1][3].