ANDREY Rublev has reached his second consecutive Hamburg European Open final, and will now look to go one better in 2020 when he takes on world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Russian up and comer booked his place in this year’s decider after defeating Casper Ruud in straight sets, while Tsitsipas had to overcome a determined Cristian Garin to make the Hamburg European Open final on debut.

Rublev definitely had the easier day of the two, with the world number 54 winning 6-4 6-2 in a much better performance than his three-set struggle 12 months ago where he defeated Ruud on the clay courts, 3-6 7-5 6-3 to advance to the quarter finals. Rublev ended up reaching the final before going down to Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili. He has now equalled that feat by making it to the last match of the tournament, the first time Rublev said he had done so in his career.

”[It is] my first ever time that two years in a row I reached a final at the same tournament,” he said post-match. “For the moment, it is the most special tournament for me. We will see how it goes tomorrow.”

The win moved Rublev to 34-6 this season, the second most wins behind world number one, Novak Djokovic. It was Rublev’s ability to still win points off his serve despite only recording a poor 47 per cent efficiency. He won 74 per cent of his first serve points when his serve went in, and 50 per cent of his second serve. By contract, Ruud served up 61 per cent of his first serve, but could only control 46 per cent, meaning the Russian won 54 per cent, or 19 of 35 in a strong effort. He also broke five times to two.

“The match was really tough. I think everyone saw how tough it was, how [many] long rallies we had, how many chances both of us had,” Rublev said. “It could [have been] easily 6-4, 6-2 to Casper’s side, but I was a little bit lucky. In the most important moments and at the end, the match was for me. I am really happy with the way I played today.”

“Casper did such a great run this week. “He did such a great run last week in Rome… lost a good match against Djokovic. “He is really on a high level now and I wish him good look at Roland Garros.”

Now Rublev takes on Tsitsipas who had to struggle through three tight sets, getting up 7-5 3-6 6-4 against Chilean Garin to reach the final. It took the second seed Greek two hours and 15 minutes before moving to third overall for ATP Tour wins this season (22-8) behind Rublev and Djokovic. Tsitsipas said it was an even match throughout.

“It was nerve-wracking,” Tsitsipas said post-match. “During the match [there were] lots of nerves. “The match was very close and towards the end I showed great responsibility and took advantage of my strengths.”

Both players served consistently with Tsitsipas powering home 12 aces at 66 per cent efficiency, as well as winning 68 and 61 per cent of his first and second serve points. It was that second serve clip that was the difference between the players, because while Garin had an efficiency of 74 per cent, and won 71 per cent of his first serve points, he could only manage nine of 24 off his second serve (38 per cent) for the match.

“That last break [in] the middle of the third set was very crucial and I think putting a lot of dedication and hard work in every single game, trying to stay mentally there [helped]… I just wanted to give my best performance and my best possible tennis,” Tsitsipas said.

“I am very, very happy that I am able to play such good tennis in such a beautiful German city, get great support and just be able to show my best, play my best and be my best in this city.”

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