'Slowest in my f***ing life': Bublik's old habits lead to implosion

(Getty/Martin Keep)

Many were expecting a nail-biting contest on Rod Laver Arena between Alexander Bublik and Alex de Minaur. It was anything but.

A ruthless display from the Demon helped avenge his two losses to Bublik, sealing back-to-back quarter-final berths at Melbourne Park with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 triumph, taking just over 90 minutes.

It remained competitive at 4-4 in the first set until an untimely double fault helped de Minaur to grab a one-set advantage, and from there, the wheels fell off for Bublik.

The 10th seed looked unconvincing throughout sets two and three, as his unpredictability has at times overshadowed his natural talent.

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Having admitted in the past that he hasn't always had the best relationship with Australia, Bublik's relationship with Rod Laver Arena was also in question after eye-opening comments were made.

"But how can I hit? It's a f***ing ping pong ball. It doesn't fly. It's the slowest court I ever played in my f***ing life," he vented towards his coaches' box in the second set.

The Kazakh was asked about his heated words, which were captured on Nine Network audio.

"It's one of the slowest courts, alongside Indian Wells, that I played on," he told the media post-match. "I thought the conditions would be similar (to MCA, JCA), which was probably my fault not to take it more deeply to check."

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