Henrique Rocha falls in Roland Garros 2025 third round to Alexander Bublik Por Luís Henrique Costa
7 min de leitura
 |
Portuguese tennis player Henrique Rocha, 21, ended his debut in the Roland Garros 2025 main draw in the third round on Saturday, May 31, in Paris. The world number 200 was defeated by Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, ranked 62nd, in three sets, with scores of 7-5, 6-1, and 6-2, in 1 hour and 42 minutes. The match, played on Court Simonne-Mathieu, marked the end of Portugal’s participation in the singles event, following Nuno Borges’ elimination in the same round. Rocha, who came through qualifying, struggled to keep up with the experienced opponent, who advanced to the round of 16. The event, the second Grand Slam of the season, takes place on clay courts and draws thousands of spectators to the French capital.
Rocha’s journey at Roland Garros began with notable victories in the qualifying rounds, where he defeated three opponents to secure a main draw spot. In the tournament, he stunned by beating top-20 player Jakub Mensik in the second round, staging an epic comeback after trailing by two sets. Although halted by Bublik, the Portuguese player’s campaign marked a historic moment for Portuguese tennis.
- Highlights of Rocha’s campaign:
- First main draw appearance at a Grand Slam.
- Victory over Jakub Mensik, 19th seed, in the second round.
- Five consecutive wins, including qualifying.
The match against Bublik, known for his unpredictable style, was a test of endurance for the young Portuguese player aiming for the round of 16 in his debut.
Bublik’s performance in the match
Alexander Bublik took the court with confidence after defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur, the ninth seed, in the previous round. The 27-year-old Kazakh used his powerful serve and varied shots to dominate, especially in the final two sets. In the first set, Rocha stayed competitive until 5-5, but Bublik capitalized on a crucial break to win 7-5. From there, the Portuguese struggled to counter his opponent’s consistency.
In the second set, Bublik raised his level, conceding just one game. The third set followed a similar pattern, with the Kazakh sealing the match with an ace, securing his place in the next round. Bublik’s serving efficiency, with 12 aces, was a key factor in the match.
Henrique Rocha’s path to the third round
Rocha’s journey to the third round was marked by resilience. In qualifying, he faced France’s Luca Van Assche, winning in three tight sets, 6-3, 6-7(1), 7-5, in a three-hour battle that earned him a main draw spot. In the first round, he defeated another qualifier, showcasing his physical and mental preparedness.
The highlight came in the second round against Jakub Mensik. After dropping the first two sets 2-6 and 1-6, Rocha staged a remarkable comeback, winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. The over three-hour match put the Portuguese player’s name on the global tennis stage.
- Key moments in the Mensik comeback:
- Overcame a two-set deficit.
- Maintained composure in critical third-set moments.
- Used defensive shots strategically to neutralize the Czech’s attack.
Context of Portuguese participation
With Rocha’s exit, Portugal has no remaining players in the Roland Garros 2025 singles draw. Nuno Borges, world number 41, also fell in the third round, defeated by Alexei Popyrin in a close match. However, having two Portuguese players reach the third round reflects the sport’s growth in the country.
Borges, who previously faced Casper Ruud in the same round, couldn’t replicate past performances. Still, the campaigns of both players highlight Portugal’s emerging tennis generation, aiming to establish itself globally.
- Portuguese players at Roland Garros 2025:
- Henrique Rocha: third round, eliminated by Bublik.
- Nuno Borges: third round, eliminated by Popyrin.
- First time two Portuguese players reached the third round of the same Grand Slam.
Alexander Bublik’s Roland Garros history
Bublik, who had never advanced beyond the third round in Paris, achieved a personal milestone by reaching the round of 16. The Kazakh, known for his relaxed demeanor and creative shots like underhand serves, struggled on clay in past tournaments. In 2025, however, he showed greater consistency, particularly after beating De Minaur.
This season, Bublik had mixed results, including an early loss in Hamburg to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. His Roland Garros campaign so far includes three wins, either in straight sets or comebacks, demonstrating adaptation to Paris’ clay courts.
Bublik’s upcoming challenges
After defeating Rocha, Bublik faces Britain’s Jack Draper in the round of 16. Draper, who beat Brazil’s João Fonseca in straight sets (6-2, 6-4, 6-2), enters the match in strong form. The clash will test the Kazakh’s consistency against a rising star.
Draper, 23, is the fifth-seeded Briton and reached the US Open semifinals in 2024. The match is scheduled for June 2 on one of Roland Garros’ main courts.
Reaction to Rocha’s campaign
Rocha’s Roland Garros performance sparked excitement among Portuguese fans. Social media posts praised the young player’s resilience, especially after his Mensik comeback. Local media, like A Bola, called the campaign “epic,” highlighting his promising Grand Slam debut.
Rocha’s performance is also expected to boost his ATP ranking. Starting at 200th, his Paris victories will likely push him closer to the top 150.
Roland Garros and the 2025 tennis landscape
Roland Garros 2025 has been marked by surprises and breakout performances. Alongside Rocha, other young players like João Fonseca drew attention, though they exited in the third round. Top names like Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz remain in contention, with matches scheduled for the weekend.
The clay-court tournament, which began on May 25, features the world’s best players and offers multimillion-euro prizes. The 2025 edition also honored Rafael Nadal’s legacy with a tribute, though the Spaniard is not competing this year.
- Roland Garros 2025 numbers:
- Tournament start: May 25.
- Total main draw players: 128 (men’s singles).
- Total prize money: approximately 53 million euros.
Henrique Rocha’s future in tennis
At 21, Rocha has a bright career ahead. His Roland Garros run, despite the loss to Bublik, put him on the radar of sponsors and tournament organizers. Training at Juan Carlos Ferrero’s academy, he plans to compete in Challenger events to gain ranking points.
Rocha is part of a talented generation alongside Nuno Borges and João Fonseca, representing the future of tennis in the Iberian Peninsula. His clay-court skills and physical endurance suggest potential success in tournaments like the Madrid and Rome Masters 1000 events.
Other third-round matches
While Rocha concluded his campaign, other matches energized Saturday in Paris. Alexander Zverev advanced to the fourth round after defeating Flavio Cobolli, and Jannik Sinner beat Jiri Lehecka in straight sets. In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff secured her round of 16 spot, facing Madison Keys next.
Saturday’s matches drew vibrant crowds, amplified by the nearby Parc des Princes hosting the Champions League final. Fireworks echoed, creating a festive atmosphere at Roland Garros.
Legacy of Portuguese tennis
The performances of Rocha and Borges at Roland Garros 2025 underscore Portuguese tennis’ positive momentum. Recent years have seen the country produce competitive players, a rarity historically. The Portuguese tennis federation has invested in academies and local tournaments like the Estoril Open to nurture talent.
Rocha, in particular, embodies this effort. From Porto, he started playing at six and excelled in junior competitions. His Roland Garros run, though ended, is a milestone that may inspire other young athletes in Portugal.
- Facts about Portuguese tennis:
- First Roland Garros appearance: 1960 (José Roquette).
- Best Grand Slam result: round of 16 (João Sousa, Wimbledon 2018).
- Growth of tennis academies in Portugal: 20% over the past five years.
