ATP Dubai 2024: Alexander Bublik vs Andrey Rublev, Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction

The 2024 Dubai Open has shown us great action in the last week. The tournament will be led by the Indian Wells Masters as it primes the players and fans for the Sunshine Doubles. Alexander Bublik and Andrey Rublev will play in the first semifinal of the tournament, both hoping for a shot at winning the title. 

It is bound to be a great match between two players who have performed great in 2024 so far. While it will be a tiresome bout for the players, it will be a joy for the audience.

Alexander Bublik vs Andrey Rublev: Preview

Bublik began 2024 with Adelaide International, where he made it to the semifinals before being eliminated after two sets. His Australian Open appearance did not go well, as he fell to Sumit Nagal in the first round. He followed the competition with a complete turnaround, winning the Open Sud De France.

However, Bublik was unable to replicate his achievements in the ATP Rotterdam and Qatar Open, where he lost in the second round of both tournaments. At the Dubai Open, Bublik has been the bold player fortune favors. He won two matches after facing three tiebreakers and received a walkover. Now, he has a shot at the title. 

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Rublev opened the year with a bang, winning the Hong Kong Open, his first tournament of the season. He also advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after a remarkable comeback against Alex De Minaur in the fourth round. De Minaur would avenge himself in the ATP Rotterdam quarterfinals, defeating Rublev.

Rublev reached the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open but fell to Jakub Mensik in a tough straight-set match. In Dubai, Rublev had a tough battle against Zhang Zhizhen but shut the player down in three sets. After a fairly fought victory in the second round, Rublev received a walkover in the quarterfinal against Sebastian Korda.

Bublik vs Rublev: Head-to-Head

Bublik and Rublev have met each other five times. Their first match was a qualifying round clash in Moscow, where Bublik was the victor. They would meet again in the Kremlin Cup in 2019, this time in the main draw. Rublev was the victor of their first official clash in three sets: 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. Their following bout was held in the Erste Bank Open in 2019, where Rublev would once again be dominant over Bublik, once again in three sets 6-1, 6-7, 6-4. 

The two would then meet in the 2020 ATP Rotterdam, where Rublev would go on to win their third clash, this time in straight sets 7-5, 6-3. They then played against each other in the 2023 Halle Open final, where Bublik would have his revenge on Rublev. He won the clash 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and lifted the title. They would have a monumental clash following Wimbledon. After a grueling five-set battle, Rublev advanced further. 

Prediction: Rublev to end Bublik’s stint

While both players have put on fantastic performances in the last two months, Rublev’s momentum puts him above Bublik at the moment. The Russian star is likely to take the bout and have a shot at the title again after 2023. This time, he would be hoping to win it, no matter who he faces. How do you think Rublev will fare against Bublik?