Ready-to-play Bublik in Aus Open 4th round for first time

The world No.10’s bag of tricks is still there but it is tempered by anew resilient mindset now

- Shahid Judge

Alexander Bublik in action against Tomas Martin Etcheverryin their third round match at the Australian Open.

(AP)

Tomas Martin Etchiverry stretched as far as his 6-foot-5 frame would let him at the end of a quick dash towards the net.

He did manage to retrieve the drop shot sent his way and get the ball back into play, but the momentum of his sprint carried him forward and off the court.

Alexander Bublik waited at the service line across the net as Etchiverry’s weak return floated harmlessly towards him. There was an open court for Bublik to play into. For any other player, a simple tap would suffice. Bublik, ever the showman, casually lobbed his volley back for the winner.

Everywhere the Kazakh plays, he carries his bag of tricks with him. The dropshots, the tweeners, the front-facing tweeners, the underarm serves, the 200 kmph+ second serves, the taps across the net using the racquet handle...

But along with the crowdpleasing trickery, his obvious weapons and immense talent, Bublik has travelled to the Australian Open with probably his most important tool - the new mindset of wanting to win.