(VIDEO) Bublik back at it: Wins service game with only underhand serves at Astana Open

Kazakhstan’s tennis star Alexander Bublik showcased a unique skill in the Astana Open.

The 26-year-old’s journey in the competition came to an end after he lost to Austria’s Sebastian Ofner in the round of 16 in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday.

During the second last game of the second set, Bublik who was nearly certain to lose the match, showcased a unique skill and won a game by serving underarm. That, however, did not have an impact on the overall outcome of the match.

The defeat will be another disappointing outing for the Gatchina-born who did not find it easy to compete in the big tournaments.

Bublik played in the main round of all the Grand Slams in 2023 but he could not qualify for the quarterfinal or beyond in any of the competition.

His most notable outing this year came in Wimbledon where he was knocked out after losing the fourth round to the current world number six Russia’s Andrey Rublev in a five-set thriller with a score of 7-5, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4.

In all the other three big competitions, the current world number 35 was knocked out after losing the first round.