Rotterdam Open: Wawrinka vs Bublik Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Rotterdam Open as Stan Wawrinka takes on Alexander Bublik in the first round on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Stan Wawrinka is returning to the Rotterdam Open looking to win his first ATP title since 2017. But the Swiss one-hander faces a potential banana skin right off the bat taking on the unpredictable Alexander Bublik. Who will prevail?

Stan Wawrinka hasn’t won an ATP title since 2017. Wawrinka has been in and out of competition in the last few years due to serious knee injuries. But having been playing pain-free for a year now, he will look to join the winner’s circle, at least that’s what keeps him in the loop to play at the top level. He has had reasonable success at the Rotterdam Open, winning the tournament in 2015 as well as finishing runner-up in 2019.

Alexander Bublik, meanwhile, is coming to the Rotterdam Open without a single win in 2023. And all hell broke loose, as Bublik’s frustration got the better of him in his most recent loss at the Montpellier Open. The Kazakh’s title defense came to an end in a tough loss to Gregoire Barrere. And Bublik couldn’t let that sink in and smashed three rackets after letting slip a 4-2 lead in the third set. He will now look to put his disappointment into his back pocket when he takes on Stan Wawrinka.

Alexander Bublik leads Stan Wawrinka 2-1 in their head-to-head, although it is pertinent to note Bublik’s win in Metz is classified as a retirement win as Wawrinka retired just three games into the match. Wawrinka did earn his redemption at this year’s United Cup where he swatted Bublik aside in straight sets. It’s looking bleak for Bublik and I can’t help but think this is another defeat in the making. Performances have been awful and results are even poorer. Expect a fully refreshed Wawrinka to pile more misery.