By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, October 24, 2025Photo credit: Erste Bank Open Facebook
Late in the second set, Alexander Bublik unloaded a 135 mph missile down the middle only to see Jannik Sinner smoothly stick a backhand return winner in the corner.
That rousing return left Bublik smiling at the absurdity of Sinner’s strike.
Turning some of the Kazakh’s best shots into punchlines for his powerful replies, Sinner swept buddy Bublik 6-4, 6-4 to power into the Vienna semifinals with his eighth straight win at the Erste Bank Open.
The 2023 Vienna champion earned his 19th consecutive indoor hard-court win.
The 16th-ranked Bublik—along with Carlos Alcaraz one of only two men to beat Sinner in a completed match this season—played a good match. Good isn’t good enough against a sharp Sinner these days.
The top seed smacked eight aces and won 40 of 45 first-serve points, including a near-immaculate 28 of 30 first-serve points.
Wimbledon winner Sinner improved to 46-6 on the season and now stands two wins from a fourth title in 2025.
World No. 2 Sinner carries an 11-0 lifetime record against Aussie Alex de Minaur into tomorrow’s semifinals.
The third-seeded de Minaur opened today’s play converting four of 10 break points defeating former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 6-1, 7-6(4).
Washington, DC champion de Minaur advanced to his 30th ATP semifinal becoming the first man to score 40 hard-court wins on the ATP Tour this season.
Sinner 🤝 Vienna
It’s a 3rd semifinal in the Austrian capital for @janniksin as he defeats Bublik in straight sets ⏩️#ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/nKHPstzAUP
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 24, 2025
Second-seeded Alexander Zverev took a walkover from Tallon Griekspoor, who was bothered by a bad back, into his second career Vienna semifinal.
The 2021 Vienna champion Zverev will play either fourth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti or world No. 36 Corentin Moutet in tomorrow’s semifinals.
Credit the big-serving Bublik for fighting off five break points in his first two service games, including rallying from triple break down to hold for 2-1.
In the seventh game, Sinner made his move.
Following a forehand down the line forward, Sinner blocked a forehand volley crosscourt. That imposing play helped him break for 4-3.
Serving with new balls, Sinner streaked though a love hold stretching his lead to 5-3.
Bublik showed his versatility flicking a surprise underarm serve winner then crashing a conventional ace—his fifth of the set—holding at love for 4-5.
Underarm service…..ACE 😜
Courtesy of none other than Bublik!@ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/96Lv9AqmlI
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 24, 2025
Sinner slammed down a bounce smash for double set point and wrapped up the 37-minute opener when Bublik flattened a forehand into net.
The top seed serve 64 percent and was 14 for 14 on first-serve points in the opening set, stamping three love holds in the set.
Throughout this week, Sinner has dabbed the drop shot, particularly off his forehand, more frequently than he typically plays the soft stuff. Sinner deployed the drop shot and smash followed by an inside-out forehand winner for break point in the second set.
Cranking a crackling forehand, Sinner broke for 3-2.
The lanky Italian will be pleased by his pinpoint serving this week. Sinner swatted an ace backing up the break with a love hold for 4-2.
Serving for the semifinals, Sinner slashed his seventh and eight aces closing a 21-winner to 11 error performance in 76 minutes.
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