Rublev, Surprising Vesely Win Final Set Breakers To Advance To Dubai Final
Andrey Rublev and Jiri Vesely both had to win final set tiebreakers Friday to reach the final in Dubai.
Vesely followed up his stunning win over Novak Djokovic with another big upset knocking out Denis Shapovalov 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 7-6(3) in 3 hours, 12 minutes.
Vesely won the first three games of the match, but dropped the opener. The second and third sets were break-less, but both saved break chances.
Vesely held it together in the breakers to reach his fourth career final, and biggest of his career.
“I think I’m having a dream run here so far,” said Vesely. “I was just trying my best to really enjoy it as much as possible. It was my first ATP 500 semfinal and the only way to get through is just fight until the last point, and I’m very happy.
“Of course I was physically tired, but I think in matches like that, you just got to fight until the last point,” said Vesely. “It’s a semifinal of a 500 event, it’s a big thing, a huge thing for me. You never know when you get to chance to be in the semis again. I was really trying hard to do everything possible.”
Tomorrow, to win his third title, Vesely will take on Rublev who also went the distance in a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) victory over Hubert Hurkacz.
Like Vesely, Rublev also came from a set down and also needed a final set breaker. Following his Marseille title last week, Rublev has now won his last eight matches, though six have gone three sets.
“I’m feeling super happy and super tired,” said Rublev. “I could not imagine that it would happen this week again, that I would be in a final, and I’m just happy.
“I lost the first set 6-3 in 20-something minutes. It was so fast. He broke me. Till the end of the set he was serving aces. I was telling to myself the same, Try second set to at least go to the tiebreak, at least it will look better the score and the time. I was just saying, Okay, keep fighting no matter what.”
Rublev will seek his 10th title in his 15th final.
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