Felix Auger-Aliassime survives feisty affair against Bublik to reach Dubai second round

DUBAI: Underarm serves, a questionable VAR call, fiery competition, and a rowdy crowd: Felix Auger-Aliassime’s 7-6 (7), 6-7 (4), 6-3 win over Alexander Bublik in the Dubai first round on Tuesday certainly had it all.

Auger-Aliassime needed two hours and 49 minutes and four match points to overcome the unpredictable Bublik, who was a finalist in Dubai last year and is renowned for his trick shots and unorthodox playing style.

The opening-set tiebreak was particularly contentious between the pair as Auger-Aliassime requested video replay on a point that was awarded to Bublik. The Kazakhstani had hit an overhead which Auger-Aliassime attempted to reach but claimed he was hindered by the ball boy, who was in his way.

“So if you hit the fence, is it replay?” questioned Bublik from the other side of the net.

Chair umpire Miriam Bley sided with Auger-Aliassime and decided the point should be replayed.

VAR drama in Dubai

A contentious moment in Auger-Aliassime vs Bublik...#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/CSO0qH9RkR

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 25, 2025

Bublik was not happy with the call but play resumed. It was 6-6 in the breaker and Bublik was on his second serve. Instead of taking a safe route at such a crucial stage in the match, Bublik hit a sneaky underarm serve, which caught Auger-Aliassime by surprise and went unreturned, awarding Bublik a set point.

Bublik gestured to the crowd to get louder, feeling vindicated after the VAR call.

But his triumph was short-lived as he soon double-faulted to gift Auger-Aliassime the set.

It was the Canadian’s turn to rally the crowd behind him, as he mocked Bublik’s celebration from earlier and pointed to his ear with a smirk on his face.

The match ultimately went the way of