The Bublik Enemy Alexander Bublik vs The Thunder Jan-Lennard Struff | UTS London by Builder.ai 2024

The German – The Thunder – lived up to his name with some big serving, big hitting and clutch play under pressure to win a UTS match outside of Germany for the first time.

Struff had admitted on the eve of the event that the one-serve rule was not in his favour and he threw in two faults early in the opening quarter as Bublik went through his whole arsenal of shots, including a round the net forehand winner and an underarm serve.

It looked as if the Kazakh would snatch the first quarter when he led 13-10 but the German won his bonus card and then, after the scores were tied 14-14 with the time run out, Bublik went big on serve but it cannoned off the net and out to give Struff the advantage.

Buoyed by the first quarter, Struff went toe to toe with Bublik in the second and again it came down to a deciding point, and again it was The Thunder who took it to double his lead.

Bublik looked like he was toying with Struff at times but made too many errors on big points and Struff took advantage, pulling away in the third to win it 16-12 and sit on top of Group B.

Timestamps:

0:00 - First Quarter
3:07 - Second Quarter
5:00 - Third Quarter

UTS, the brainchild of celebrated coach Patrick Mouratoglou, is an innovative, fast-paced competition, designed to showcase tennis to both historical and new audiences. UTS differs from standard tennis rules, increasing the speed of play and the way that the game is displayed to the fans.

UTS differs from standard tennis rules, increasing the speed of play and the way that the game is displayed to the fans:

- Timed matches : each match lasting between 40 and 50 minutes each
- Matches divided into 8-minute quarters, not sets
- First to win three ‘quarters’ wins
- 15-second shot clock between points
- No second serve
- Players can be coached from the bench at all times.
- Coaches mic’d up during the matches and players mic’d up during changeovers
- Fans can be as loud as they want during - and between - points, no more silence!
- Players can choose a 3-point ‘bonus’ card to use during the match, e.g., next point counts for three points
- If two quarters each, a sudden death fifth quarter - with the goal of winning two consecutive points - will be played

[vanessacort]

Very entertaining match...Bublik clearly enjoying himself. Butvwell done to Struff for sticking to his guns n pulling off a convincing win❤

[soulss]

Struff in good shape vs Bublik with his new cap! 🤩 have fun boys😎

[Happycamperever]

Too bad, Shapo didn`t show up cos he is busy with his doping campaing.