Bublik beats Fucsovics in straight sets to reach AO 2026 third round

Kazakhstan’s top-ranked tennis player Alexander Bublik (world No. 10) defeated Hungary’s Márton Fucsovics (No. 54) 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 in the second round of the Australian Open 2026.

Despite a 1-5 head-to-head record, the 33-year-old Hungarian offered decent resistance to the 28-year-old Bublik. In the first set, the Kazakhstani athlete was forced to play catch-up as his opponent was solid on serve. At 5-5, Bublik managed to secure a break and then served out the set, 7-5.

In the third game of the second set, Bublik broke his opponent’s serve but immediately lost his own. The first-set pattern of playing catch-up resumed and continued until 4-4. Later, Bublik secured another break and served out the set, playing only four rallies in the game, 6-4.

In the third set, the Kazakhstani player faltered in the sixth game — Fucsovics broke and then held serve to move ahead 5-2. However, Bublik won five games in a row and stunned Fucsovics.

The match lasted 2 hours 13 minutes. Bublik outperformed Fucsovics in breaks (5-2), aces (12-6) — with Alexander committing four double faults and Marton six — and total points won (111-98).

In the third round, the Kazakhstani athlete will face Argentina’s Tomás Martín Etcheverry (No. 62). At the tournament opener, the Argentine defeated Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanović (No. 60) in an almost four-hour five-setter, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. In the second round, Etcheverry beat British qualifier Arthur Fery (No. 186), 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 6-1. In their head-to-head record, Bublik leads 2-1.

Previously, Alexander Shevchenko ended his run, following Dmitry Popko and Zarina Diyas. In singles, Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva continue their runs at the tournament. In doubles, Anna Danilina will compete in a pair with Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic, as well as in mixed doubles with American James Tracy.