ATP Tour

Cazaux banishes SF demons to reach first ATP Tour final in Kitzbuhel, sets Bublik rematch

Arthur Cazaux turned semi-final heartbreak into a new career milestone within a week on Friday at the Generali Open in Kitzbuehel, where he surged into his maiden ATP Tour final.

Just six days after suffering defeat to Alexander Bublik in his first ATP Tour semi-final in Gstaad, the 22-year-old Frenchman responded with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over countryman Arthur Rinderknech to reach the championship match in Kitzbuehel. During their clash, which was delayed during the first set due to rain, Cazaux won 85 per cent (33/39) of first-serve points and did not face a break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“I’m really happy, because tennis is tough,” said Cazaux, who was sidelined through the end of March and April through injury. “I had injuries at the beginning of the year, I didn’t play well, so I’m really happy to be in my first final on the ATP Tour. I think the first set was my longest set ever… It wasn’t easy with the rain, but I stayed focused on what I had to do on court. I hope I can continue on this way tomorrow.”

By notching his personal-best 11th tour-level win of the season, Cazaux is up 25 spots to No. 75 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, 12 places short of his career-high No. 63. In the first all-French semi-final on the ATP Tour since Newport 2023, Cazaux was sharp in all departments, hitting 20 winners to overwhelm Rinderknech in their maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash.

Cazaux will face a rematch with the in-form Bublik, who went onto win the Gstaad title. The Kazakhstani moved past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4 in Friday’s second semi-final in Kitzbuehel.

Bublik has now won his past seven matches, highlighted by his second tour-level title of the season in Gstaad. The top seed, who won 81 per cent of his first-serve points against van de Zandschulp, is into his 14th tour-level final and will chase his seventh crown. The 28-year-old is up three spots to No. 27 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

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Did you know?
Cazaux reached the fourth round at the Australian Open last year, defeating Holger Rune en route to his best finish at a major tournament.