Bublik bizarrely hits four double faults in a row during Thiem US Open clash

Kazakhstan’s tennis star Alexander Bublik produced an unprecedented series of double faults in the US Open 2023.

The 26-year-old suffered a thumping defeat in the first round of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year on Monday against Austria’s Dominic Thiem in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

In the second set of the match, Bublik produced an unprecedented series of double faults which led to his opponent breaking his serve without actually hitting the ball.

The defeat will be a severe blow for the Gatchina-born as it was his third first-round exit from the Grand Slam this year.

He also suffered a defeat in the first round of the Australian Open after losing to Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a five-set thriller with a score of 6-0, 6-7, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Later in the French Open, he once again came second-best in the opening round of the tournament against Italy’s Giulio Zeppieri with a score of 6-0, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

On the other hand, the victory was a much-needed one for Thiem who has struggled with continued injury concerns. It was his first in the Grand Slam since 2021 in his seventh attempt.