Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik (11) fired 48 aces to defeat American Frances Tiafoe (19) 4:6, 7:6 (7:5), 7:6 (13:11), 4:6, 6:3 in a grueling four-hour third-round match at Wimbledon 2026. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Both players displayed high-quality tennis in a closely contested match. The drama was unpredictable. The American started strong, breaking in the first game. The next break came only in the fourth set. In the first set, the Kazakh could not break back – 4:6.

In the second and third sets, both players served flawlessly. The sets were decided by two tiebreaks. In the first, Bublik led 6:3, Tiafoe reduced the deficit, but Alexander closed it out 7:5.

The third-set tiebreak extended to 11:11. Bublik led 5:2, but his opponent caught up, took the lead, and had seven set points. However, the Kazakh snatched victory 13:11.

In the fourth set at 2:2, a tired Tiafoe called a medical timeout, disrupting Bublik's rhythm, and secured the second break of the match. Alexander was close to breaking back but lacked luck – 4:6.

The fifth set was brilliant for the Kazakh. Breaking Tiafoe in the fourth game, he confirmed the first break of the match – 4:1. Then he confidently closed out the match – 4:6, 7:6 (7:5), 7:6 (13:11), 4:6, 6:3. Match time: 4 hours 7 minutes, aces 48:12, total points won 185:174.

In the quarterfinal, Bublik will face another American, Taylor Fritz (7).

On July 4, Kazakhstan's representation at Wimbledon was reduced by one. World No. 2 Elena Rybakina sensationally lost to Belgian Elise Mertens 6:7 (4:7), 1:6.

Also, Poland's Iga Swiatek (3) suffered defeat. The 2025 Wimbledon champion lost to Philippine Alexandra Eala (32) 6:7 (9:11), 2:6.

Supporting Kazakhstan's tennis reputation, Anna Danilina and Serbian Aleksandra Krunic defeated the Ukrainian pair Angelina Kalinina/Dayana Yastremska 2:6, 6:4, 6:0 in the second round.

On July 5, Kazakh juniors Zangar Nurlanuly and Damir Zhalgasbay will compete.

The Wimbledon Championships 2026 are held in London from June 29 to July 12. It is the third Grand Slam of the season and the only one on grass.

The prize fund is £64.2 million. Singles champions and finalists will receive £3.6 million and £1.8 million respectively.

Current Wimbledon champions are Italian Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. Sinner defeated American Jenson Brooksby (81) 6:4, 6:3, 6:4 to reach the fourth round. Swiatek, as mentioned, exited in the third round.