AUSTRALIAN young gun Alex de Minaur has claimed his fourth ATP Tour crown following his Antalya Open final win over Alexander Bublik. It was not in the way the 21-year-old might have hoped however, with the Kazakhstan talent having to retire just two games into the match following an ankle injury in his semi-final win.

It was billed as an exciting contest given Bublik had knocked out top seed Matteo Berrettini in the quarter finals, but an ankle injury in the semi-final victory over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy continued to cause the world number 49 issues. Whilst he wanted to play the match rather than retire pre-game given he is yet to win a title, just two games into the match – with de Minaur breaking him – he had to retire.

In that time, de Minaur won 10 of the 14 points, including four upon return to claim the game, and clearly focused against a wounded Bublik. Calling it quits was difficult for the Kazakh, but he could not go on ahead of a packed Australian summer coming up in a fortnight.

“I twisted my ankle yesterday and finished with an adrenaline rush for the best win of my life,” Bublik said post-match. “I was so lucky to win. I tried to play. “I was in the physio room for three hours yesterday and I tried to get ready for the match today. “It’s hard for me in my third ATP Tour final, and I’ve never gotten the win.”

It might have been his easiest title win of his career, but de Minaur said it was about the work he had put in leading up to the match, including defeating second seed David Goffin in a hard-fought semi-final, and the preparation over the winter in Europe.

“I knew I’d put in a great pre-season, I felt good and ready to compete,” he said. “I gave myself the best possible chance to go deep in this tournament.

“I have got matches at the start of the year. “I am very happy with my level. “I got some quality wins and now I’m looking forward to returning to Australia, where I hope to have a good Aussie summer in front of a home crowd.”

While de Minaur did not move up any ranking places from his win, he moved within striking distance of the Top 20, and gained some separation on the 24th ranked John Isner by adding another 245 points to his total. Bublik moved up four spots to number 45 in the world with an additional 130 points from his Antalya Open final appearance.

Now the ATP Tour has a break for the fortnight while players quarantine for two weeks ahead of the January 31 blockbuster array of tournaments in Melbourne.

Picture: ATP Tour