ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Third-seeded Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan won his third career title by beating French teenager Arthur Fils 6-4, 6-4 in the European Open final on Sunday.
Bublik saved all three break points he faced and hit 28 winners to 18 for Fils.
In their first meeting, Bublik capitalized on a couple of unforced errors by the fourth-seeded Fils to break for a 3-2 lead. He saved a break point in the eighth game with a forehand winner before concluding the opening set with an ace.
Fils had a poor start to the second set, dropping serve by sending a forehand into the net. Out of frustration, Fils smashed his racket into the ground. Bublik saved two break points at 3-2 with an ace and a service winner. Fils saved two match points, but Bublik converted the third with his 11th ace.
Bublik was going through a poor run of form before this tournament, losing five straight matches on hard court.
The 19-year-old Fils was the youngest finalist in the tournament’s history.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
