Kazakhstani tennis player Alexander Bublik staged a remarkable comeback against world number nine Alex de Minaur in the second round of Roland Garros on May 29, 2025. Trailing by two sets, Bublik shifted tactics, incorporating spin-heavy shots and drop shots, to secure a 2/6, 2/6, 6/4, 6/3, 6/2 victory. The match, played on Court 14, marked Bublik’s first win over De Minaur after three prior losses. Advancing to the third round, Bublik will face Portuguese surprise Henrique Rocha, who also pulled off a stunning upset. The result ends De Minaur’s run of four consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances.
Bublik’s tactical adjustment in the third set proved pivotal, as he varied his game to disrupt De Minaur’s rhythm. The Parisian crowd roared with excitement during the three-hour battle, which showcased high-intensity rallies.
Rocha, Bublik’s next opponent, earned his spot with a comeback win over 19th seed Jakub Mensik, posting a 2/6, 1/6, 6/4, 6/3, 6/3 scoreline.
- Key match stats: Bublik hit 12 aces and won 22 of 38 net approaches.
- De Minaur’s performance: The Australian committed 48 unforced errors against Bublik’s 51 winners.
- Historical milestone: This marks Bublik’s first third-round appearance at Roland Garros.
Tactical shift sparks comeback
The third set was the turning point. Down two sets, Bublik began using heavy topspin and clever drop shots, unsettling De Minaur’s consistent baseline game. Leading 4/1, he faced a fightback as De Minaur leveled the score at 4/4. Bublik stayed composed, holding serve to love in the ninth game and breaking in the tenth with aggressive play.
In the fourth set, Bublik maintained his momentum. He mixed powerful groundstrokes with delicate touches, keeping De Minaur off balance. A highlight came in the set’s final game, when Bublik defended a tough shot between his legs before firing a winning passing shot, igniting the crowd.
The fifth set saw a demoralized De Minaur struggle. Bublik broke early and never relinquished control, sealing the match with an ace. He finished with 12 double faults but offset them with 51 winners, while De Minaur recorded 35 winners and 48 unforced errors.
Bublik’s Roland Garros journey
Alexander Bublik, ranked 62nd, had never advanced past the second round in four previous Roland Garros appearances. His best result at the tournament was reaching the 2021 doubles final alongside Andrey Golubev. The win over De Minaur makes him the first Kazakhstani to reach the third round in singles at the Paris major.
The 27-year-old has shown strong form on clay in 2025. Two weeks before Roland Garros, he won a Challenger title in Turin, Italy, and boasts a 12-5 record on the surface this season.
- Clay court highlights: Bublik defeated Andrey Rublev in Madrid and challenged Casper Ruud in Rome.
- Top 10 wins: This marks his second Grand Slam victory over a top 10 player, following a 2020 win against Gael Monfils.
- Net play: Bublik succeeded in 22 of his 38 approaches to the net against De Minaur.
De Minaur’s streak ends
Alex de Minaur, the ninth seed, saw his impressive Grand Slam run come to an abrupt halt. The 26-year-old Australian had reached the quarterfinals in his last four majors, including Roland Garros 2024. His second-round exit is his earliest at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2023, where he also fell in the same stage.
De Minaur had looked sharp in his first-round win over Laslo Djere (6/3, 6/4, 7/6(6)), but struggled to counter Bublik’s unpredictable style. The loss could see him slip from ninth to tenth in the ATP rankings if Tommy Paul wins his next match.
Portuguese sensation in third round
Bublik’s next opponent, Henrique Rocha, is one of Roland Garros 2025’s biggest surprises. The 21-year-old Portuguese, ranked 200th, is competing in his first Grand Slam and stunned 19th seed Jakub Mensik with a 2/6, 1/6, 6/4, 6/3, 6/3 comeback.
Rocha’s third-round appearance, alongside compatriot Nuno Borges, marks a historic moment for Portuguese tennis, as the nation has never had two players reach this stage in a Grand Slam. Borges advanced after defeating seventh seed Casper Ruud.
- Rocha’s profile: The Portuguese had only one ATP-level win before Roland Garros.
- Mensik’s upset: The 20th-ranked Czech was favored but couldn’t withstand Rocha’s recovery.
- Portuguese milestone: Rocha and Borges are the first Portuguese duo in a major’s third round.
Critical moments of the match
The Bublik-De Minaur clash featured several dramatic turning points. In the third set, after De Minaur’s comeback to 4/4, Bublik’s zero-point hold in the ninth game and subsequent break in the tenth shifted the momentum. The crowd erupted during extended rallies, with Bublik dictating play.
The fourth set’s defining moment came in the final game. Bublik’s acrobatic defense—scooping a ball between his legs before nailing a passing shot—sealed the set and became a viral highlight.
In the fifth set, Bublik’s early break set the tone. De Minaur, unable to mount a response, saw the match slip away as Bublik closed with a decisive ace.
Bublik’s top 10 record
The victory over De Minaur is Bublik’s 11th career win against a top 10 player and his second in a Grand Slam. Both Grand Slam top 10 wins have come at Roland Garros, underscoring his affinity for the Parisian clay. In 2020, he defeated then-world number nine Gael Monfils in a five-set thriller.
Bublik’s 2025 season includes notable top 10 clashes on clay, with competitive matches against Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud. His career record against top 10 players stands at 11 wins and 24 losses.
- Key top 10 wins: Bublik beat Matteo Berrettini in 2021 and Taylor Fritz in 2019.
- 2025 form: The Kazakh has won 8 of 13 ATP matches this year.
- Roland Garros milestone: The third round is his best singles result at the tournament.
De Minaur’s clay court challenges
Despite reaching the Roland Garros quarterfinals in 2024, clay remains De Minaur’s least comfortable surface. His game, built on speed and consistency, thrives on hard courts. In 2025, he posted a 10-4 clay court record, with a semifinal in Monte Carlo and fourth-round appearances in Madrid and Rome.
Against Bublik, De Minaur struggled to adapt to the Kazakh’s varied tactics. His 48 unforced errors highlight the pressure exerted by Bublik’s mix of power and finesse.
Upcoming Roland Garros matches
The third round of Roland Garros 2025 promises thrilling encounters. Beyond Bublik vs. Rocha, notable men’s matches include Novak Djokovic against Corentin Moutet and Jannik Sinner versus Alexander Shevchenko. On the women’s side, defending champion Iga Swiatek faces Emma Raducanu.
Court Suzanne-Lenglen, likely hosting Bublik and Rocha, has been a stage for upsets this year. Top players like Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz exited early, highlighting the tournament’s unpredictability.
- Men’s matches: Djokovic vs. Moutet, Sinner vs. Shevchenko, Alcaraz vs. Marozsan.
- Women’s matches: Swiatek vs. Raducanu, Gauff vs. opponent TBD.
- Upsets: Medvedev and Fritz fell in the first and second rounds, respectively.
Kazakh tennis on the rise
Bublik’s win underscores the growing prominence of Kazakhstani tennis. The nation, which produced WTA star Elena Rybakina, now sees Bublik as its leading men’s player. He is the first Kazakh to reach the Roland Garros third round in singles, a significant milestone.
Born in Russia but representing Kazakhstan, Bublik has a career defined by flashes of brilliance and inconsistency. His 2025 results, including a Turin Challenger title and strong showings in Madrid and Rome, signal a career peak.
Tournament overview
Roland Garros 2025 has been defined by surprises and breakout performances. Alongside Rocha, young players like France’s Arthur Fils have shone. Fils faces Spain’s Jaume Munar in the second round, with a chance to advance further.
The absence of Rafael Nadal, missing his first Roland Garros in 20 years, has opened the door for new contenders. Early exits by Medvedev and Fritz further amplify the tournament’s open nature.
- Emerging talents: Fils, Rocha, and Mensik are players to watch.
- Notable absences: Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas are not competing.
- Top contenders: Sinner, Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz remain strong in the draw.
Crowd and atmosphere in Paris
The Roland Garros crowd has been a driving force in 2025. Fans packed Court 14 for Bublik’s match, cheering loudly during key moments. The festive atmosphere, a hallmark of the French Grand Slam, has energized players, particularly underdogs like Bublik and Rocha.
Tournament organizers reported over 400,000 tickets sold for the two-week event. Night sessions on Court Philippe-Chatrier, including Djokovic’s upcoming match against Moutet, continue to draw massive audiences.
Third-round preparations
Bublik and Rocha enter the third round with newfound confidence. Known for his laid-back demeanor, Bublik faces a similarly unpredictable opponent in Rocha, who has just one ATP win prior to Roland Garros. The Portuguese relies on an aggressive baseline game to challenge favorites.
Their match is slated for Court Suzanne-Lenglen, a major stage in the complex. The winner will face either Arthur Fils or Jaume Munar in the fourth round.