Rotterdam First Round: Bublik Looks to Flip the Script, Tsitsipas Eyes Familiar Territory
As first-round action wraps up at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, two intriguing matchups headline Wednesday’s slate. Alexander Bublik and Arthur Rinderknech are both seeded, but they’ll have their hands full against Hubert Hurkacz and Stefanos Tsitsipas, respectively. Let’s break down what to expect in these heavyweight clashes.
Hubert Hurkacz vs. (3) Alexander Bublik
On paper, this one leans heavily in Hurkacz’s favor. The Polish No. 1 owns a 6-1 head-to-head record against Bublik, and that’s not a stat you can just brush aside. But context matters-and in this case, it matters a lot.
Bublik comes into Rotterdam with some baggage, no doubt. He’s fresh off a disappointing Davis Cup weekend for Kazakhstan, where he dropped a match to Valentin Vacherot and saw his team fall to Monaco. That’s not the kind of momentum any player wants heading into a high-stakes indoor tournament.
But here’s the thing: Bublik isn’t the same player he was when most of those six losses to Hurkacz happened. Since late 2023, he’s turned a corner.
He’s already 8-2 this season and picked up a title in Hong Kong. His game-built around a big serve, unpredictable shot selection, and a newfound level of consistency-has finally started to click.
Hurkacz, meanwhile, came out firing in 2026. He led Poland to the United Cup title with a 4-1 singles record, showing the kind of clutch play we’ve come to expect from him in team events.
But since then, the wheels have wobbled. A tough loss to Ethan Quinn in the second round of the Australian Open was followed by a straight-sets defeat to Martin Damm in Montpellier.
That’s not the trajectory you want heading into a matchup with a red-hot Bublik.
Both players bring massive serves to the table, so don’t expect a ton of extended rallies here. This one could come down to a few key points in tiebreaks or a single break of serve. But if Bublik can keep his head on straight-and that’s always the wild card with him-he’s got the edge based on current form.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (8) Arthur Rinderknech
It’s a bit jarring to see Tsitsipas unseeded in Rotterdam, especially in a first-time matchup against a lower-profile opponent like Rinderknech. But that’s where things stand right now for the 27-year-old Greek, who’s slipped to No. 32 in the world. Still, don’t let the ranking fool you-Tsitsipas is showing signs of life early in 2026.
He’s 6-2 on the year with a notable win over Taylor Fritz at the United Cup, and he’s no stranger to success in Rotterdam. Tsitsipas has made deep runs here before, including a final, a semifinal, and a quarterfinal appearance. The indoor hard courts suit his aggressive baseline game, and he tends to thrive in this environment.
Rinderknech, on the other hand, has cooled off considerably. Since his surprising runner-up finish to cousin Valentin Vacherot at the Shanghai Masters, the Frenchman has gone 4-6 in his last 10 matches. Two of those wins came in Davis Cup action against significantly lower-ranked players-not exactly confidence-inspiring stuff.
And then there’s his history in Rotterdam: 0-3 lifetime, all in qualifying rounds. That’s not the kind of track record that suggests a breakthrough is imminent.
This matchup is less about what Rinderknech can do and more about whether Tsitsipas can impose his game. If the Greek is serving well and dictating with his forehand, he should be in control from the outset. Given his comfort level at this tournament and the contrast in recent form, Tsitsipas looks like the clear favorite.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Bottom Line
Rotterdam’s indoor courts are known for producing tight, serve-dominated matches, and both of Wednesday’s showdowns fit that mold. Bublik vs.
Hurkacz is a battle of big servers with a history, but it’s the Kazakh who may finally be ready to turn that rivalry around. As for Tsitsipas, a strong showing here could be just what he needs to start climbing back toward the top of the rankings-and he’s got the matchup to do it.