Well, no, but it's one of those Special moves that are the exception to the does-not-make-contact rule regarding Special attacks, unless my brain is malfunctioning again and I am not remembering correctly (...it's seven in the morning and I have had two hours of sleep, my apologies for anything that's less coherent than usual.) Either way, however, Grass Knot is less than pleasant, and the Substitute is going to be met with...a lot of "okay yeahno what the hell is that," tbh, as it's not a tactic he's terribly familiar with outside of this tournament and it's managed to confuse him every time he's witnessed it being used. He's observed enough to get a basic idea of what to do to it, however, so he's going to be utilizing Dig to avoid the Brick Break and finish off the Substitute.

...this is about the point when he will actually compliment you on being formidable there, Saber, because good lord.