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.

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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.

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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.