Alexander Bublik pulled out one of his tricks moments after his rival requested VAR in Dubai.

Alexander Bublik hit an underarm serve ace after a video review meant he was made to replay a point (Image: Tennis TV)

Alexander Bublik was back to his usual ways at the Dubai Tennis Championships, hitting an underarm ace on a second serve after a video review meant he was forced to replay a point.

The Kazakh was locked in battle with Felix Auger-Aliassime at 6-6 in the first set tiebreak during their opening round match when Auger-Aliassime requested a VAR check.

The umpire ruled in Auger-Aliassime’s favour but Bublik had the perfect response.

Bublik and Auger-Aliassime became embroiled in a tight tussle in the first set of their match in Dubai. At 6-6 in the tiebreak, the Canadian was running to chase a ball down when a ball kid stepped forward to catch it.

Bublik didn’t realise and began celebrating as he moved ahead by a point but Auger-Aliassime immediately requested a video review from the umpire, who examined footage of the incident.

“Wow, here we go. We’ve got a video review here for hindrance,” commentator Colin Fleming said.

The world No. 51 appeared confused but Auger-Aliassime told him: “The ball kid didn’t wait for the ball, he went to the ball. The ball kid moved in my way.”

A replay of the incident was played on screens for the umpire, players, and for fans in the stands and at home. The ball kid in question could be seen moving forward to catch the ball while Auger-Aliassime tried to hit it.

A video review showed that the ball kid moved into Auger-Aliassime’s way while the point was live (Image: Tennis TV)

“The ball kid has moved there. There’s no doubt,” Fleming remarked. Co-commentator Mikey Perera replied: “But it’s a tough call, isn’t it?”

Chair umpire Miriam Bley ruled that it was hindrance and grounds to replay the previous point. “As the ball kid was stepping out and anticipating to catch the ball while the ball was still in play, it was a hindrance,” she announced.

Fleming explained: “It’s difficult because Auger-Aliassime was in a position where he’s probably going to lose the point anyway but the ball kid did hinder his chance to play a better shot. Bublik looks like he has accepted it.”

The score returned to 6-6, meaning Bublik had to serve again. But he couldn’t get out of the point. His first serve was out.

On his second serve, Bublik hit what appeared to be an ace, but it just clipped the net tape and was deemed a let. At the third time of asking, the 27-year-old decided to switch things up and went for an underarm serve.

His tactic worked – Auger-Aliassime wasn’t expecting the underarm and didn’t chase the ball down and Bublik finally won the point to move ahead 7-6.

He waved his arms in the air, encouraging the crowd to cheer him on as Auger-Aliassime laughed from the other side of the net.

“It’s not the first time in this first set he’s hit an ace with the underarm second serve, come on!” Fleming exclaimed. “Have you ever seen anything like it? Video review, second serve let, underarm ace. Alexander Bublik, ladies and gentlemen.”

But it was the last point Bublik won in the set, as he later hit a double fault to give Auger-Aliassime the opener 7-6(7). The Kazakh refused to go away, however, winning the second set in a tiebreak to force a decider.

Auger-Aliassime went on to win 7-6(7) 6-7(4) 6-3 – but not before Bublik saved one of his match points with another underarm serve.