ANDREY Rublev has taken home the biggest title of his career and continued his unbelievable 2020 form, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 3-6 7-5 in the final of the Hamburg European Open. It was Rublev’s first ATP500 title and the fifth of his career, three of which have come in 2020 to move the Russian up-and-comer to second this season behind Novak Djokovic in terms of most titles.

Rublev added Hamburg to his title wins in Doha and Adelaide, and went one better than his finals appearance last year where he lost to defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili. The victory helped him move up two ranking spots on the ATP Tour to a career-high 12th in the world and edging closer to the top 10 players at age 22. Only two players – Denis Shapovlov (21 years-old) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (22) – are younger above him.

Taking on the Greek second seed, it was an entertaining battle throughout with neither player giving an inch. Rublev won the first set, but then lost the next, and was 3-5 down in the decider looking out of it, before winning the final four games of the match – breaking Tsitsipas twice to take out the crown, with his opponent double-faulting on match point.

“It is an amazing feeling [to win an ATP 500 title],” Rublev said post-match. “I realised it only when they called double fault… a few seconds later I started to realise that it is over and I won. It is an amazing feeling. I am happy.”

Rublev attributes his victory to winning mentally, when he broke back at 4-5 to level the score and went on from there. Throughout the match Rublev weathered the 11 aces and 70 per cent serving efficiency Tsitsipas threw at him by serving three aces of his own and winning 72 per cent and 53 per cent of his first and second serve points off a 61 per cent serving efficiency, whilst breaking five times to four throughout the course of the match, including in two of the last three games.

“I was going on the court with no fear. The match was such a thriller,” he said. “[In the] third set he was twice with the break. “I was a little bit lucky at 5-4… and I broke back. “I think that was a little bit mental. I think maybe Stefanos got a little disappointed inside that he didn’t make it and then at the end everything was so fast and I won.”

Tsitsipas said it was a disappointing loss, but he would have to move on ahead of Roland Garros which kicked off whilst the two were battling it out on court.

“It is a pity. But that is what our sport is about,” Tsitsipas said. “It is all about fighting and at the end, the one who deserves it the most is the one that puts in the most hard work and dedication… I feel sad that I won’t walk away from here with the title, but I can’t wait to be back next year to do even better, hopefully.”

Rublev takes on United States’ Sam Querrey in the opening round of Roland Garros tomorrow, whilst Tsitsipas locks horns with Spain’s Jaume Munar.

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