HALLE, Germany (Reuters) -Kazakh Alexander Bublik broke Alexander Zverev once in each set to power past the German 6-3 7-5 on Saturday and reach the Halle Open final.
The 26-year-old Bublik, who regularly delivered first serves at speeds of more than 220 kph, gave his opponent no chance on his own serve to make his first final of the year as the grass season heads towards Wimbledon in just over a week.
On Sunday, he will face world number seven Andrey Rublev, who eased past Spain Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 6-4.
Zverev, a two-time finalist in Halle, quickly dropped a break behind with Bublik racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set.
The German’s return was no match for the Kazakh’s thundering serve and Bublik quickly wrapped up the first set in 35 minutes.
Bublik, who reached his second tour semi-final of the season after Italian Jannik Sinner was forced to retire injured, had two more break chances at 3-3 but Zverev dug deep to stay in the contest.
However, the Kazakh played a flawless game at 5-5 to snatch the break he wanted with a superb crosscourt forehand winner and then served out the match.
“The job is not finished, there is one last match,” Bublik said. “I am happy but I try to stay focused. I tried to play my game and I am really happy with the win today. Playing Sasha is really tough and I was a bit lucky in the key moments.”
The world number 48 will now play third seed Rublev who found little resistance from Bautista Agut who has not reached a final on grass in nine years.
The Russian’s precision left the Spaniard stunned at times and Rublev was broken only once as he reached the final where he will bid to win his second title of the season.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Ken Ferris and Clare Fallon)
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