Alexander Bublik won the ATP 250 Gstaad title in Switzerland, defeating Juan Manuel Cerúndolo 2-1 in sets, with scores of 6/4, 4/6, and 6/3, in the final played on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Roy Emerson Arena. The match, lasting about two hours, marked the Kazakh’s first clay final, where he outperformed the Argentine in a tightly contested battle. Bublik, the second seed, capitalized on break points and hit 13 aces, securing his sixth career title. The victory strengthens his ATP ranking rise, while Cerúndolo, despite the loss, returns to the top 100. The clay tournament in Switzerland offered €596,000 in prize money and crucial ranking points.
The Gstaad final was a milestone for both players. Bublik, known for his creative and controversial style, reached his 13th career final, while Cerúndolo, aged 23, played his second ATP final, his first since winning Córdoba in 2021. The match featured intense rallies and strategies adapted to the windy court conditions.
SIX FOR SASCHA 🎯Alexander Bublik defeats Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-4 4-6 6-3 to claim his sixth career title in Gstaad!@SwissOpenGstaad pic.twitter.com/KeVwZWakxp— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 20, 2025
Victory factors: Bublik converted 4 of 14 break points, while Cerúndolo managed 3 of 10.
Technical highlight: The Kazakh won 81% of first-serve points, compared to Cerúndolo’s 60%.
Game conditions: Wind challenged both, but Bublik adapted better in the decisive set.
The Roy Emerson Arena crowd cheered the high-quality moments, especially in the third set when Bublik regained control after losing the second.
Gstaad final context
The ATP 250 Gstaad, held annually in Switzerland, is a prestigious clay-court event set in a mountainous region. In 2025, it attracted players like Casper Ruud, eliminated by Cerúndolo in the quarterfinals, and Arthur Cazaux, defeated by Bublik in the semifinals. The final pitted Bublik’s aggressive, creative style against Cerúndolo’s consistent clay game.
Ranked 34th before the tournament, Bublik arrived in Gstaad after a mixed season, highlighted by his ATP 500 Halle title on grass. Cerúndolo, ranked 109th, had a breakthrough week, defeating veterans like Ruud and David Goffin. This was their first professional meeting, promising a tactical showdown.
Journey to the final
The Gstaad tournament showcased both finalists’ resilience. Bublik won his matches in straight sets until the final, including a commanding 6/1, 7/5 victory over Arthur Cazaux. Cerúndolo faced tougher battles, notably a comeback against Casper Ruud, winning six consecutive games in the final set.
Bublik’s victories:
1st round: Alexander Shevchenko (6/2, 6/3)
Round of 16: Francisco Comesana
Quarterfinals: opponent not specified
Semifinal: Arthur Cazaux (6/1, 7/5)
Cerúndolo’s victories:
1st round: Jan-Lennard Struff
Round of 16: David Goffin
Quarterfinals: Casper Ruud
Semifinal: Ignacio Buse (6/3, 6/3)
Cerúndolo’s campaign ensured his return to the top 100, while Bublik’s title moved him to 30th, with a chance to reach 28th in the updated rankings.
Strategies and key moments
The final hinged on adapting to tough conditions. Cerúndolo noted the importance of varying his game against the wind, using more spin when in favor and playing defensively otherwise. Bublik relied on powerful serves, with 13 aces and 70% first-serve accuracy, plus 31 winners that disrupted the Argentine.
In the first set, Bublik broke Cerúndolo’s serve in the tenth game to win 6/4. The Argentine fought back in the second, capitalizing on Bublik’s errors, including a break in the eighth game to tie at 6/4. In the decisive set, Bublik regained consistency, broke in the sixth game, and held serve to close 6/3.
Decisive points:
First set: break in the 10th game with a crucial ace.
Second set: Bublik’s error on a break in the 8th game.
Third set: break in the 6th game, securing Bublik’s lead.
The crowd, despite rooting for Cerúndolo during his comeback attempts, praised Bublik’s solid performance, which he celebrated with his trademark charisma.
Ranking impact and next steps
Bublik’s Gstaad victory boosts his ATP ranking. With 250 points earned, he returns to the top 30, solidifying his status as a versatile player. Cerúndolo, despite the loss, gains enough points to re-enter the top 100, a significant milestone after nearly two years outside it.
Bublik now eyes Wimbledon, where his grass-court confidence could shine. Cerúndolo plans to capitalize on his clay form, targeting tournaments in Europe and South America.
Bublik’s outlook:
Consolidate top 30 and aim for a strong Grand Slam.
Leverage confidence on fast surfaces.
Maintain consistency in ATP 500 events.
Cerúndolo’s outlook:
Stabilize in the top 100 and target top 50.
Focus on clay tournaments, his preferred surface.
Gain experience in ATP finals.
Tournament highlights
The ATP Gstaad is renowned for its unique setting, with courts surrounded by Swiss mountains. The 2025 edition reinforced its reputation for surprises, like Ignacio Buse’s run from the qualifiers and the early exit of favorites like Ruud.
Notable facts:
Bublik is the first Kazakh to win Gstaad.
Cerúndolo was the first Argentine in the final since 2021.
The tournament distributed €596,000 in prize money.
Roy Emerson Arena seats 4,500 spectators.
The event also highlighted the growing presence of South American players, with Cerúndolo leading a new generation of Argentine clay specialists.
Reactions and legacy
Bublik’s win drew praise for his adaptation to clay, a surface where he’s historically struggled. His versatility shone, while Cerúndolo earned admiration for his resilience and technical growth. The final, streamed live on platforms like Disney+, attracted thousands of viewers, particularly in Argentina and Kazakhstan.
Bublik, once known for controversial remarks like playing “just for money” in 2020, showed maturity in Gstaad, emphasizing the joy of the moment. Cerúndolo highlighted the confidence gained, projecting a competitive 2025.
Post-match quotes:
Bublik: “Clay isn’t my home, but today I felt comfortable.”
Cerúndolo: “Playing an ATP final is always special, even with the loss.”
Bublik’s coach: “He’s more focused than ever.”
The Gstaad final underscores the ATP circuit’s competitiveness, with rising stars challenging established names and building their careers.
