WTA/ATP: Swiatek, Bublik and Tabilo strike silverware success

Swiatek posts quarter of a century

In recent months Iga Swiatek hasn’t been singularly devoted to lifting trophies, she’s wanted to evolve her game, to compete with the necessary mindset to withstand the relentless nature of the calendar.

Well, in recent months, the Pole has clicked into a devastating patch of form.

Rewind to Roland-Garros 2025 and the world No.2 surrendered her crown at the semi-final stage. Something wasn’t quite right, something wasn’t quite clicking.

But Team Swiatek put in the hard yards, bursting with intensity, which has now yielded three statement titles since RG2025.

A sixth Grand Slam was clinched at Wimbledon, prior to a glorious display to triumph at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati. Make that three with the Seoul silverware on Sunday night.

The 24-year-old reached a landmark tally of 25 career titles (from 30 finals!) with a 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 scintillating tussle against world No.11 Ekaterina Alexandrova.

The day before, Swiatek performed double duty, dismissing Roland-Garros 2021 winner Barbora Krejcikova 6-0, 6-3 and rising Australian Maya Joint 6-0, 6-2 to rubber stamp her dominance in this current groove.  

"Honestly, I don't know how I won it, because you were just playing great," Swiatek told Alexandrova, having just won a tour-leading 57th victory in 2025.

"I just tried to stay alive."

Those survival skills will be on display in the next WTA/ATP combined stop in Beijing.

Bublik rules unbroken

Collapsing to his knees and then falling face down onto the court, Alexander Bublik couldn’t quite believe what he just accomplished.

On Tuesday, the mercurial Kazakh collected a fourth title of his stellar season with a finely-poised 7-6(4), 7-6(4) triumph over the rapidly-improving Valentin Royer in Hangzhou, China.

In an extra-special addition, Bublik’s rocket delivery meant he held 44 out of 44 service games across his four encounters.

The Roland-Garros quarter-finalist has enjoyed a renaissance since March (following a trip to Las Vegas, USA, to blow off steam), highlighted by title runs in Halle, Gstaad, Kitzbuhel and now Hangzhou. Only world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz has also lifted four or more titles (7) this year.

“Honestly I always say that wins don’t make me go through the roof and losses don’t put me to the ground,” said Bublik, who has risen to a career-high world No.16.

“I try to stay stable. I enjoy what I do. I’m happy that I’m able to travel, play tournaments and stay healthy, and the wins are coming… That’s beautiful.”

French youngster Royer deserves a shoutout. The 24-year-old enthralled the Hangzhou crowds with fearless play during a week of firsts. The qualifier took down top seed Andrey Rublev 6-4, 7-6(2), along with victories over No.7 seed Learner Tien and No.4 seed Corentin Moutet. As a reward, Royer climbs 13 positions to a career-best world  No.75.

Tabilo erases pain with miraculous escape act

Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo endured a miserable start to 2025, losing his opening six matches, and then missed two months of the clay swing in Europe with a wrist injury.

It tested his will and mental fortitude to the very brink.

Well, on Tuesday the 28-year-old transformed from qualifier to champion in Chengdu. He saved two championship points to eventually prevail past top seed Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(5).

“It was a crazy match… I just had to stay there mentally and physically,” said Tabilo, adding to two titles from last year. “It was an incredible effort from the team also. It has been a long, emotional two weeks and I am just so happy.

“It’s been a very, very tough year, lots of injuries. Being here right now, it’s unbelievable. I still can’t believe it.”

Tabilo returns to the Top 100 for the first time since June 2024, catapulting 40 spots up to world No.72.