World number 36 Alexander Bublik is through to the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters after defeating 3-time Grand Slam winner Stanislas Wawrinka, claiming his first ever Monte Carlo win.  

Bublik came from a set down to defeat the former World number three and 2014 Monte Carlo champion 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. Wawrinka, who was playing in his first tour-level match in 13 months, showed little sign of rustiness utilizing his trademark backhand to full effect and was able to compete with the man from Kazakhstan, clinching the first set in rapid time.

However, the 37-year-old was unable to maintain his best level, with the 2015 French Open Champion tiring as the match wore on. Bublik, after saving break points at the start of the second set began to rally and started to become more aggressive and finish points at the net.

On his fourth time of asking, Alexander Bublik equaled at one set each to send the match into a deciding set. From there, it was one-way traffic as Bublik broke Wawrinka twice to win the third set and the match.

Bublik did not react to the impressive victoryin typical fashion believing that he did not deserve victory, “he was running like an elephant”‘ and that he would rather be playing on grass.

“I have said four times and I will say it five times now. I wish him a speedy recovery but I did not deserve to win this match. As simple as that. Because I mean it is clay court I am running like an elephant you know. I cannot stop, I cannot explode, I cannot do anything.”