WATCH: Controversial scenes as Alexander Bublik & Alexei Popyrin reignite their feud from 6 months ago, refuse to shake hands at Paris Masters

Alexander Bublik stormed into the second round of the Paris Masters with a comfortable win over Alexei Popyrin on Monday, October 27. However, the Kazakh was booed for not shaking hands with his opponent, though he had his reasons.

In their fourth tour-level meeting, 13th seed Bublik defeated Popyrin 6-4, 6-3 at the La Défense Arena, leveling the head-to-head record at 2-2. When they clashed in Madrid in April, the two engaged in a war of words during their customary handshake at the net.

In Paris, however, Bublik's reason to ignore Popyrin was different. Apparently, the 47th-ranked Australian did not apologize after a couple of net-cords fell in his favor during the second set. This infuriated the Kazakh, who did not even look at Popyrin after winning the match and went straight to the chair umpire before returning to the court to celebrate with the spectators.

Watch the video here:

Speaking to Russian outlet Championat afterwards, Alexander Bublik said:

"I just don't see anything wrong with that (not shaking Popyrin's hand). I believe that any reasonable person would have done the same in my place, that is, if I had ever done the same. There is a code, there is a certain etiquette. If a person doesn't follow it, why should I follow it?"

The ongoing season has been Bublik's best so far. He has won four titles across surfaces and could reach a career-best No. 15 ranking next week.

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"Not entirely happy with the way I played" - Alexander Bublik after defeating Alexei Popyrin in 1R of Paris Masters

Alexander Bublik at the Paris Masters 2025 - Source: Getty

Alexander Bublik took one hour and 14 minutes to register a straight-set win over Alexei Popyrin in the Round of 64 at the Paris Masters. He hit 13 aces and won 89% of his first-serve points, while converting three out of five break points.

However, the 28-year-old wasn't satisfied with his performance, which may have something to do with the new venue, the La Défense Arena.

“A win is a win. I’m not entirely happy with the way I played, mainly because the conditions are new. The ceiling is high, the courts are slow, and the balls feel different. We’ve used these balls for a while. I played with the same ones in Hangzhou and Beijing, but they all feel different here. So, you just have to get used to it," he said after the match (via Tennis Majors).

Bublik will face either American lucky loser Reilly Opelka or Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the second round.

Edited by Parag Jain