Alexander Bublik, after advancing to the semifinal of Almaty Open-2026, admitted that his quarterfinal match against Karen Khachanov could have ended in victory for either player. According to Kazakhstan's top seed, the outcome was decided by a few key rallies in which he managed to make better use of his chances. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Bublik beat Khachanov in three sets – 4:6, 7:6 (7:5), 7:6 (7:5). The match lasted 2 hours 28 minutes, and the Kazakhstani player hit 21 aces. In the semifinal he will play against the defending champion Daniil Medvedev.
After the match, Bublik noted Khachanov's consistency and admitted that he initially expected few opportunities on return.
"I think the match went as expected. Karen is a great player, he has won many matches and tournaments in his career, one of the most consistent players on tour.
I knew the match would be tough and that I would not have many chances, if any at all. I needed to convert them at the right moment, and I did. I played a few key points excellently at the end of the second and third sets," Alexander said.
Bublik emphasized that both players held their serves confidently, which is why the outcome was decided on two tie-breaks.
"The match could have turned either way, it was very even. We both have great serves, we both served well, and the match was decided on two tie-breaks. Each of us deserved to win, but I perhaps just used my chances better. For me it was a great match, I give credit to my opponent."
The quarterfinal finished late in the evening, but Bublik stated that such a schedule would not be a problem for him. According to the tennis player, late matches even suit his usual routine.
"This is not the first time we play in the evening. By biorhythms I am a 'night owl', I don't go to bed before two or three in the morning. I like it when tournaments show loyalty and schedule me to play in the evening, because going to bed before two in the morning is very hard for me. I have a small child – fortunately he inherited my genes, he also sleeps until 12. So for me this is normal."
Bublik added that after the match he plans to stick to his usual routine and not change his schedule before the semifinal.
"Right now it's my dinner time – I have dinner somewhere between nine and eleven in the evening every day, that's how it is in our family. I'll return to the hotel, have a snack, call my family – no one is asleep yet, we are all 'night owls'. Tomorrow I'll wake up around 12–13 o'clock and go to the court," the tennis player concluded.
In the semifinal Bublik will face Medvedev, who defeated France's Terence Atman (6:4, 6:4) and has not yet lost a single set at the current tournament.
Recall that Almaty Open is held from October 17 to 25 at the Almaty Arena. The ATP 250 tournament with a prize fund of $1.07 million is being held in Kazakhstan's southern capital for the third time.