Alexander Bublik turned a near-exit into one of the most talked-about wins of the week at the 2026 Rotterdam Open, storming back to defeat Hubert Hurkacz 6-7(2), 7-6(1), 7-5 on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The two-hour, 21-minute battle was shaped by relentless serve-and-volley exchanges and a dramatic momentum shift in the second set. But as much as the scoreline mattered, it was Bublik’s mid-match rant, capped by a jaw-dropping comparison to Novak Djokovic, that electrified the crowd.
Hubert Hurkacz’s Commanding Serve and Past Dominance Put Alexander Bublik on the Defensive Early
Bublik entered the tournament as the third seed and world No. 10, yet his history against Hurkacz suggested trouble. The Kazakh had won just once in seven previous meetings, trailing 1-6 in their head-to-head record before this clash.
Hurkacz, one of the ATP Tour’s most feared servers, had long imposed his rhythm on Bublik with heavy first serves and short points. For much of the match, Hurkacz appeared in control. He blasted 25 aces and dictated play with his serve, taking the first set in a tiebreak and moving within a game of victory in the second. Serving at 5-4, Hurkacz seemed poised to close the door.
Instead, the match pivoted in stunning fashion. The normally dependable Pole committed three double faults in a single service game, handing Bublik a break and a lifeline he had not looked likely to receive. Bublik seized the momentum, dominated the ensuing tiebreak 7-1, and carried that surge into a tightly contested third set that he eventually claimed 7-5.
How Did Novak Djokovic’s Name Enter Bublik’s Mid-Match Rant?
Throughout the battle, Bublik’s frustration with Hurkacz’s serve-heavy rhythm spilled into open commentary. Caught on camera during a changeover, he vented with a mix of sarcasm and disbelief. “Ace, ace, double fault, double fault, ace, ace… what the f*** is that? And they say I’m the one who has no rhythm? I’m f****** Djokovic compared to him,” he said.
Bublik during his match with Hubi Hurkacz in Rotterdam:
“Ace, ace, double fault, double fault, ace, ace… what the f*** is that? And they say I’m the one who has no rhythm? I’m f****** Djokovic compared to him”
😭😭😭😭😭
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 11, 2026
The win marked Bublik’s first victory over Hurkacz since 2020 and snapped a run of one-sided results in the rivalry. More importantly, it propelled him into the second round in Rotterdam, where he is set to face Jan-Lennard Struff.
This is going to be their fifth meeting on the ATP Tour, with the German holding a dominant 3-1 lead in their head-to-head record. The winner of this match will take on either fifth seed Karen Khachanov or Jaume Munar in the quarterfinals.
