"That way I'll have more chances": Alexander Bublik chooses Zverev as the opponent he would want in a US Open final

Sunday, 09 August 2026 at 00:30

Alexander Bublik has already chosen his preferred opponent for a hypothetical US Open final. The Kazakh was asked during a meeting with fans at the inauguration of a tennis court in St. Petersburg who he would rather face if he reaches the championship match in New York, and his answer was Alexander Zverev, the current world No. 2.

Bublik's reasoning is straightforward. The 11th-ranked Kazakh owns a 3-1 head-to-head record against Zverev, giving him a favorable matchup on paper despite the German's status as one of the leading players on the ATP Tour. Their most recent meeting came in the 2023 Halle semifinal, when Bublik won 6-3, 7-5.

The comment comes as Bublik prepares for the final Grand Slam of the season through a different route from many of his main rivals. After competing in Gstaad and Kitzbühel, the Kazakh chose to skip both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open during the North American hard-court swing, meaning he will head to New York without playing either Masters 1000 event.

Bublik's decision leaves him with additional time to prepare for the US Open, although it also means sacrificing competitive rhythm before the final Grand Slam of the season. The Kazakh has regularly avoided Cincinnati in recent years, and his reasons have little to do with tennis, with a family commitment taking priority over another tournament on the calendar.

Bublik sees Zverev as his best option

Bublik was asked about his preferred opponent during an event connected to the opening of a new tennis court in St. Petersburg. The question effectively placed him in a hypothetical Grand Slam final, and the 28-year-old embraced the scenario rather than avoiding it. His answer was clear: if he had to choose, he would rather face Zverev than any of the other potential finalists.

“So they put me in a Grand Slam final. Not bad. If I reach the US Open final, I don't care who my opponent is. But if I have to choose, let it be Sasha Zverev. That way I'll have more chances,” Bublik said, according to Championat.

Bublik clenches his right fist as he celebrates at the Paris Masters

Bublik will arrive at the US Open without playing previous tournaments in hardcourts

The reasoning is easy to understand when looking at their previous meetings. Bublik has won three of their four encounters, including their most recent meeting in the semifinals of the 2023 Halle Open. He won that match 6-3, 7-5, continuing a matchup that has generally favored the Kazakh.

That record does not necessarily mean Bublik would be favored in a Grand Slam final, particularly against a player who has since won his first major title. However, it explains why Zverev would be the preferred option from Bublik's perspective, especially compared with a potential final against Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic.

Bublik makes a different North American swing decision

Bublik will arrive at the US Open without playing either the Canadian Open or Cincinnati. The decision comes after his appearances in Gstaad and Kitzbühel, with the Kazakh opting to reduce his North American schedule rather than make the long trip from Europe for another Masters 1000 event.

Cincinnati has been an especially consistent omission from Bublik's calendar. He has skipped the tournament for the past four years, with the timing of the event coinciding with an important family date. He previously explained that his son's birthday was a bigger priority than competing at the Masters 1000.

“For the past four years, yes. It’s my son’s birthday, and I don’t believe the Masters in Cincinnati is worth missing such important moments,” Bublik explained about his decision to skip the tournament.

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The same consideration may also help explain why Bublik chose not to travel to Canada this year. After competing in Europe, making the trip to Canada before potentially returning to Europe for a family commitment and then heading back to North America would involve a significant amount of travel for relatively limited preparation time.

Bublik's focus will therefore be on arriving in New York fresh and ready for another attempt to make a deep Grand Slam run. At No. 11 in the world, he will be seeded among the leading players, but a first Grand Slam final would still represent a major breakthrough.

And if he gets there, Bublik already knows which opponent he would prefer to see on the other side of the net.

Alexander Bublik's best US Open run

Round	Opponent	Opponent ranking	Score
R128	Marin Čilić	62	6-4, 6-1, 6-4
R64	Tristan Schoolkate	96	6-3, 6-3, 6-3
R32	Tommy Paul	14	7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1
R16	Jannik Sinner	1	1-6, 1-6, 1-6

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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