By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, October 24, 2025
Photo: Erste Bank Open Facebook
At the end of the second set, Alexander Bublik unloaded a 135 mph rocket up the middle just to watch Jannik the Sinner seamlessly stick a backflip winner in the corner.
This thrilling return left Bublik smiling at the absurdity of the Sinner’s blow.
Turning some of the Kazakh’s best shots into punches for his powerful responses, Sinner defeated compatriot Bublik 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of Vienna with his eighth straight victory at the Erste Bank Open.
The 2023 Vienna champion claimed his 19th consecutive indoor victory.
16th-ranked Bublik – along with Carlos Alcaraz one of only two players to beat Sinner in a completed match this season – played a good match. Good is not good enough against a sharp sinner these days.
The top seed hit eight aces and won 40 of 45 first-serve points, including a near-flawless 28 of 30 first-serve points.
The Wimbledon winner Sinner improved to 46-6 on the season and now sits two wins from a fourth title in 2025.
World No. 2 Sinner holds a lifetime record of 11-0 against the Aussie Alex de Minaur in tomorrow’s semi-final.
Third-seeded de Minaur opened today’s match by converting four of 10 break points to defeat the former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 6-1, 7-6(4).
Washington DC champion de Minaur advanced to his 30th ATP semi-final to become the first man to record 40 hard-court victories on the ATP Tour this season.
Sinner 🤝 Vienna
It is a third semi-final in the Austrian capital for @janniksin as he defeats Bublik in straight sets ⏩️#ErsteBankHapur pic.twitter.com/nKHPstzAUP
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 24, 2025
Second seed Alexander Zverev ousted Tallon Griekspoor, who was troubled by a bad back, in the second semi-final of his career in Vienna.
2021 Vienna champion Zverev will play either fourth seed Lorenzo Musetti or world number 36 Corentin Moutet in tomorrow’s semi-final.
Credit Bublik with big serves for fighting off five break points in his first two service games, including rallying from triple break to hold 2-1.
In the seventh game, Sinner made his move.
After a kick forward on the forward line, Sinner blocked a cross court with a frontal volley. That imposing game helped him break for 4-3.
Served with new balls, Sinner streaked with a love hold to extend his lead to 5-3.
Bublik showed his versatility by swinging a surprise serve underarm, then hitting a routine ace – his fifth of the set – to hold at love for 4-5.
Armpit service…..ACE 😜
Courtesy of none other than Bublik!@ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/96Lv9AqmlI
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 24, 2025
Sinner hit a powerful shot for double set point and sealed the scoring in the 37th minute when Bublik flattened a backhand into the net.
The top seed is serving 64 percent and was 14 for 14 on first serve points in the opening set, sealing three love holds in the set.
Throughout this week, Sinner has been getting the stroke off, especially off his forehand, more often than he usually plays the soft stuff. Sinner set up the drop shot and drop shot, followed by an inside-out forehand winner for break point in the second set.
Hitting a crackling forehand, Sinner broke for 3-2.
The lanky Italian will be delighted by his accurate serve this week. Sinner hit an ace backing up the break with a love hold for 4-2.
Serving for the semifinals, Sinner dropped his seventh and eighth aces to cap a performance with 21 winners to 11 faults in 76 minutes.
