Bublik returns to Kitzbühel final, sets big-serving clash with Halys

Alexander Bublik is headed back to the final at the Generali Open. The top seed from Kazakhstan earned his spot on Friday by defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals held in the Austrian Alps.

Bublik maintains a perfect record in this tournament so far this week. He has not dropped a single set during his campaign, continuing the form that led him to victory at the same event last year. His performance against Etcheverry lasted one hour and 25 minutes, with the top seed winning 82 percent of points on his first serve. He credited his success to strong preparation and effective execution of his game plan, specifically noting his tactical use of the drop shot.

This win marks a significant point in Bublik's 2026 season. With a 26-16 record for the year, he now aims to become the first player to successfully defend the title in Kitzbühel since 2013. He previously secured a hard-court title in Hong Kong earlier this January and remains a serious contender as he enters Saturday's championship match.

Standing in his way is Quentin Halys. The Frenchman secured his own place in the final after a hard-fought win over Yannick Hanfmann, finishing with a 6-4, 7-6(2) scoreline. Halys showed composure to close out the match after a competitive second set. This will be his second career ATP Tour final appearance. The two players met just eight days ago in Gstaad, where Halys emerged as the winner in a final-set tie-break. Saturday's match promises a clash of two 29-year-old competitors looking for a title.