Andrey Rublev returned to the winners’ circle on Sunday, overcoming Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 7-6(4) within the Open 13 Provence ultimate to raise his first ATP Tour trophy since March 2021.
The Russian, who defeated three Frenchmen in Marseille to succeed in the championship match on the ATP 250 occasion, has now captured 9 tour-level crowns, bettering his report in finals on indoor arduous courts to 5-0.
All of the battles I’ve had with Felix for the reason that first time again in 2018 have had drama,” Rublev mentioned in his on-court interview. “All have had not less than one set that went 7-6 and now he is among the biggest gamers. Particularly this season, he’s on high now. It was a pleasure to share a courtroom with him and have a tremendous ultimate like this.”
The 2022 Marseille champ!
Championship level as @AndreyRublev97 took the title on the #Open13Provence 🌟 pic.twitter.com/vSkhTqZPg9
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 20, 2022
Since triumphing in Rotterdam final March, Rublev had misplaced finals at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Monte Carlo and Cincinnati and on grass in Halle, an ATP 500 occasion. Nevertheless, the second seed ensured he wouldn’t endure the identical heartache in opposition to Auger-Aliassime.
Rublev demonstrated his spectacular psychological energy within the championship match. The Russian rallied from a break down within the first set and recovered from failing to serve out the conflict at 5-4 within the second set. He then saved a set level on serve at 5-6, 30/40 within the second set to ultimately triumph after one hour and 57 minutes.
“I needed to enhance my stage in any other case I might have had no probability in opposition to Felix,” Rublev mentioned. “From 5-4 he began to play even higher and I used to be pondering it could go to 3 units. However by some means I used to be in a position to increase my stage and ultimately it was powerful.”
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Together with his victory, the World No. 7 has now improved his ATP Head2Head collection over the Canadian to 3-1, avenging the semi-final defeat he suffered in opposition to Auger-Aliassime in Rotterdam final week.
The 24-year-old will now take to courtroom within the doubles ultimate with Denys Molchanov, aiming to turn into simply the third man within the event’s 30-year historical past to win the singles and doubles titles in the identical version (Thomas Enqvist 1997, Michael Llodra 2010).
In a full of life begin, Auger-Aliassime raced right into a 2-0 lead. Nevertheless, Rublev shortly discovered his vary, responding instantly to stage as he stepped contained in the baseline to pin the Canadian deep behind the baseline. The Russian, who fired seven aces within the first set, then raised his stage on the finish of the primary set, breaking to steer 6-5, earlier than holding serve to seal the opener.
The second set was a good affair with each persevering with to go blow-to-blow from the baseline. Auger-Aliassime, nonetheless, confirmed indicators he was tiring following his busy current schedule. Three breaks have been exchanged in a row from 2-2, with Rublev incomes two.
But the Russian was unable to serve out the match at 5-4, with Auger-Aliassime pulling Rublev from nook to nook as he broke again to like. Nevertheless, the Russian shortly regained his focus, saving a set level on serve at 5-6, 30/40, earlier than he performed persistently and aggressively within the tie-break to seal his victory.
Auger-Aliassime was aiming to clinch his second title in as many weeks, having captured his maiden tour-level trophy in Rotterdam final week. The Canadian didn’t drop a set en path to the ultimate in Marseille, defeating childhood idol Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, World No. 49 Ilya Ivashka and Russian Roman Safiullin.
Did You Know?
Rublev battled again from 2-5 within the third set in opposition to Richard Gasquet in his first match of the week in Marseille, advancing 7-6(3) within the decider after two hours and 27 minutes.
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