Before turning into the "Crazy Bublik," he was a top-ten slayer; Alexander Bublik advances to the Paris Masters semifinals.

At the Paris Masters, a player famed for his entertaining and unpredictable approach is writing his legend in the most hardcore way. He is Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, a giant killer who now forces every ATP top ten player to prepare seriously against him.

In the Paris Masters quarterfinals just finished, Bublik delivered a stunning turnaround. Battling against Australia’s rising star Deminair, despite losing the first set, he rallied to win 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, confidently advancing to the semifinals.

This victory means far more to Bublik than just a spot in the semifinals:

· First time reaching a Masters semifinal: This marks his career debut on the ATP Masters semifinal stage, surpassing his previous best in tournaments of this level. For a player usually ranked outside the top 30, this is a huge breakthrough.

· 15th career win over top ten players: This is the 15th time in his career that he has defeated a top ten opponent, solidifying his reputation as a “top ten slayer.”

· In the 2025 season, an efficient “elite killer”: So far this year, he has defeated top ten players six times, including former world number one Sinner, Fritz, Deminair, and other elite contenders. Remarkably, his head-to-head record against top ten players this season stands at an impressive 6 wins and 5 losses, boasting a winning rate above 50%! This shows he is not just a one-time upset but a consistent threat to the top ranks.

Bublik is famous for his unique serve, exquisite net skills, and wildly creative shot choices on court, earning him the affectionate nickname “Crazy Bublik” from fans. His matches are always dramatic; you never know if his next shot will be a jaw-dropping masterpiece or a baffling error.

However, in this late autumn in Paris, we witnessed a more mature and focused Bublik. He still retains his highly entertaining style, but in crucial moments, his mind is cooler and his tactics more decisive. Against Deminair, he withstood the opponent’s swift defense in the last two sets, controlling the match tempo with strong serves and bold attacks, displaying the demeanor of a top-level winner.

On the road to the final, the next challenger is ready—the 9th seed, Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian recently ended the Shanghai Masters champion Vachero’s ten-match winning streak in Masters events. Coincidentally, Auger-Aliassime is also firmly ranked within the world’s top ten.This means Bublik will face another test as a “top ten slayer.” Auger-Aliassime boasts a powerful serve and aggressive forehand, and his recent form is equally strong. It promises to be a fierce battle of sharp offense and defense.

Can Bublik continue his magical run? Judging by his current momentum and confidence, anything is possible. He has already proven with back-to-back wins over top ten players that reaching the semifinals is no fluke. His unpredictable style, which troubles opponents, might just be the key to unlocking another victory.

Regardless of the final outcome, 2025 is destined to be an extraordinary year for this highly entertaining player. He has transformed from a somewhat carefree showman into a formidable competitor. The Paris crowd is already ready to witness the birth of the next miracle.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Mei)