Alexander Bublik defeated Jan-Lennard Struff, 6-3, 6-4, in the first round of the Dubai tennis Championships.

The Kazakh delivered a clinical performance to book his place in round two.

Bublik withdrew from last week’s Qatar Open to give him more time to prepare for Dubai, an event he reached the final of two years ago.

Picking up the win against Struff, Bublik’s decision to withdraw from Doha looked to have paid off.

The win was his 12th of the season, moving him top of the standings for 2026.

Alexander Bublik ties Carlos Alcaraz for ATP wins in 2026

Bublik has now won 12 matches this year.

He won his first four in Hong Kong, en route to the title.

Then, he added another three to his tally at the Australian Open, where he reached the fourth round.

Bublik won his eighth match of the year at the Davis Cup against Monaco.

Wins nine, 10, and 11 came in Rotterdam, before he picked up his 12th in Dubai.

That moves him level with world number one Carlos Alcaraz, who has also won 12 matches in 2026.

The Spaniard won seven matches at the Australian Open and five at the Qatar Open, winning both tournaments.

Australia’s Alex de Minaur, Czechia’s Jakub Mensik, and Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry are tied for third with 11 wins each.

De Minaur and Etcheverry won’t win their 12th matches of the year this week, as the Aussie lost his opener in Acapulco and the Argentine withdrew from the Chile Open.

Mensik, on the other hand, could pick up his 12th win when he plays Hubert Hurkacz in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The record proves just how well Bublik is playing in 2026.

But what did he have to say after recording his 12th win of the season?

Alexander Bublik is ‘really happy’ with the way things are going for him

During his post-match interview, Bublik was asked if he’d found a better balance between having fun and working hard.

“I think it’s better, it’s definitely better,” he said.

“I’m not sure if it’s perfect, but definitely better than it used to be.

“So I‘m really happy with the way things are going, just trying to extend this moment as long as possible.”

Looking back at the match itself, Bublik explained how important it was for him to take his chances against Struff (3/3 on break points).

“Yes, especially on a fast surface like here, outdoors, the serve works better, I think I did well, in the most important moments, I delivered,” said Bublik.

“Had a few chances in the first game, which I took, and then the last game, when I had match points, when I broke him.

“I thought I returned twice amazingly, and that got me the win.”

The ever-charismatic Bublik was then asked if being a tournament favorite suits his personality.

“I don’t know, to be honest,” he said.

“I never thought this way, thinking that a great forehand makes you a very confident person.

“This does not raise my thoughts about myself, raise my level of confidence in terms of being a bit arrogant or a bit cool, for me, it’s not about a good forehand.”

Bublik will now rest up ahead of his second-round match against Tallon Griekspoor on Wednesday, February 25.