TURIN/STARNBERG, May 17, 2025
He delivered the headline himself — right after his semifinal win on Saturday — in a post-match interview that was as sharp as one of the countless drop shots he used to frustrate his opponent, Daniel Altmaier. After a 6-2, 6-4 victory, Alexander Bublik quipped: “I’m the last Italian left in the draw here in Torino.” The remark playfully acknowledged the passionate support he’s received all week at the Piemonte Open Intesa Sanpaolo, where fans have embraced him like one of their own.
From the main stadium court to even the street next to the club — where a group of fans shouted “Come on, Bublik!” during the semifinal — the Kazakh star has been a fan favorite. And he’s repaid that affection by delivering stunning tennis, earning a place in his first ATP Challenger final on clay, a surface he’s never particularly favored. But in Torino, Bublik has proven that his unique game — combining blistering serves and surgical touch — can shine on red dirt too.
Seeded No. 8, the 26-year-old has steadily raised his level with each round, culminating in a dominant performance against World No. 71 Altmaier. The German, seen as a strong contender, was outclassed in just 66 minutes by Bublik’s mix of 230 km/h serves and impeccable drop shots. He dictated play from start to finish, facing only one break point — which he erased with a powerful serve followed by a forehand winner down the line. Moments later, it was game, set, and match. Bublik will now aim for his seventh ATP Challenger Tour career title.
Absolutely unstoppable ♂️
Alexander Bublik dismantles Altmaier 6-2, 6-4 to reach his second Challenger 175 final of the season! #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/qKftT7Z8Bo
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 17, 2025
Yunchaokete Bu Books final spot with breakthrough run
Standing between Bublik and the title is a rising star from China, Yunchaokete Bu. Known more for his hard-court prowess, Bu had never reached a clay-court semifinal before this week — but has now surpassed all expectations at the Circolo della Stampa Sporting.
The 23-year-old stunned Argentine favorite Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-3, 6-2 with a clinical performance full of pace, precision, and very few errors. As Italian veteran Fabio Fognini noted earlier in the week, Bu plays a kind of “robotic tennis,” rarely missing despite maintaining high tempo.
He broke serve early in both sets — once in the fourth game of the first, then sprinting to a 4-0 lead in the second — and never looked back. “It’s my first real season on clay,” Bu said in his on-court interview. “So far, it’s going well. I’m trying to enjoy the moment. What do I want to say to the Torino crowd? Forza, and thank you!”
Sunday’s final will mark his first-ever meeting with Bublik, and his shot at a fourth career Challenger title.
Doubles Final Set for Sunday Morning
Before the singles showdown, Sunday’s action will kick off with the doubles final. Uruguay’s Ariel Behar and Belgium’s Joran Vliegen advanced with a 6-4, 7-5 win over local favorite Andrea Vavassori and Argentina’s Andres Molteni.
They will face Robin Haase from the Netherlands and Hendrik Jebens of Germany, who prevailed 7-5, 2-6, 10-6 over the US-American-Dutch duo Vail Kirkov and Bart Stevens.
SATURDAY RESULTS
Singles – Semifinals
Yunchaokete Bu (CHN) def. Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) 6-3, 6-2
Alexander Bublik (KAZ) def. Daniel Altmaier (GER) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles – Semifinals
Behar/Vliegen (URU/BEL) def. Molteni/Vavassori (ARG/ITA) 6-4, 7-5
Haase/Jebens (NED/GER) def. Kirkov/Stevens (USA/NED) 7-5, 2-6, 10-6
