Andrey Rublev secured his spot in his first ATP Masters 1000 after claiming a 6-3 7-5 win over Casper Ruud after 80 minutes in Saturday’s semifinal at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. Rublev set up a blockbuster final against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.
Rublev has improved his match record to 24 wins to 4 defeats. The Russian player beat Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6 (7-2) in their most recent head-to-head match in the semifinal of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Championships in Rotterdam. They are tied 3-3 in their head-to-head matches.
Tsitsipas broke serve to love in the third game, but Rublev won 16 of the next 22 points to take a 5-2 lead. He closed out the first set with a forehand down the line with a forehand down the line.
Rublev got his third break at the start of the second set, but Ruud won four consecutive games with two breaks to take a 4-2 lead. Rublev broke in the seventh game and hit a backhand winner down the line to take a 6-5 lead. The Russian player sealed the win on his first match point in the 12th game to reach his 11th ATP Tour final.
Rublev will be bidding to win his ninth career title and his first at Masters 1000 title. “It’s an amazing feeling. It is my first ATP Masters 1000 final, so I am really happy. We see what is going to happen in the final. I will try to do my best”, said Rublev.
