KITZBÜHEL, July 24, 2025
The weather forecast had been uncertain, but the Tyrolean Alps defied expectations and stayed rain-free for the first two quarterfinals Thursday at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel. Two Frenchmen headlined the action with Arthur Cazaux and Arthur Rinderknech both reaching the semi-finals of the ATP 250 clay-court event.
Cazaux, who is making his Kitzbühel debut this week, defeated German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-4. In the pair’s first meeting, the 22-year-old Montpellier native was rock-solid on his serve, hitting seven aces. Cazaux saved all three break points he faced and converted two of his own four break-point opportunities to secure victory in one hour and 22 minutes.
“I was very focused during the entire match. That was key today,” Cazaux said during his post match on-court interview. “It was my first time on Center Court and I felt great today. The crowd was amazing. I really enjoyed it. The energy was very good.”
Cazaux has arrived in Kitzbühel fresh from his maiden semi-final on the ATP Tour at the Swiss Open in Gstaad. The World No. 100 has become the first player to reach the final four as Special Exempt since Federico Coria at 2024 Buenos Aires.
Servus Kitz! #TravelTheTour #Kitzbühel pic.twitter.com/Z1V65DAi7b
— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) July 24, 2025
“It’s nice to win matches and being back in another semi-final,” Cazaux told Tennis TourTalk. “I’ve always known that I’m capable of doing great things. I’m happy with how I’ve been playing at Wimbledon – feeling pretty solid, so yeah, it’s great. I know I still have a lot of room to improve. I’m excited to be playing the semifinal tomorrow.”
Cazaux will once again be able to count on the support of his family. “My dad recently retired, and my parents had the great idea to come support me a bit more. I’d never really gone to a tournament with my parents before, but it makes me happy—it’s cool, honestly. I really appreciate having someone by my side who’s supportive.”
According to the ATP website cooking is Cazaux’s secret talent. Has he already found his favourite dish in the Alps?
“I don’t know if it is a talent but I love cooking,” the former top five junior replied and added with a smile. “I had a Kaiserschmarrn dessert here in Kitzbühel. I think I will have another one for sure but better at the end of the tournament because it was very big.”
Up next for Cazaux will be his compatriot Rinderknech, who ended the run of another German qualifier, fighting past Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. The No. 6 seed fired 13 aces and won 77 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after two hours and 11 minutes.
“It’s one of my favourite weeks of the year. It’s my third time here and I made it to the quarterfinals and semi-finals before. I love this place and the Center Court,” Rinderknech said. “Yesterday was my birthday, so I had to win and today was not that much of pressure. I still won and just want to enjoy every moment of the week.”
Play *not* suspended… #GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/TIYbf93jCc
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 24, 2025
Bublik battles past Shevchenko
After a longer rain delay, tennis action continued with last week’s Swiss Open Gstaad champion and Kitzbühel top seed Alexander Bublik, who emerged victorious from the all-Kazakh encounter with Alexander Shevchenko, winning 6-4, 6-2. The World No. 30 saved all five break points he faced and capitalized on three of his own seven break-point chances to advance in one hour and 15 minutes.
“It’s quite demanding, but at the end of the day we’re tennis professionals and we are ready for that,” Bublik said when asked about competing in high altitude in consecutive weeks. “I’m happy that I stayed in form and continued winning matches. I hope I can continue this trend.”
Up next for Bublik will be Botic van de Zanschulp. The 29-year-old Dutchman edged past Thiago Seyboth Wild 7-6(2), 6-2 in the final of the day. Under the lights on Center Court, van de Zandschulp won 56 per cent of the total point played to advance in one hour and 50 minutes.
