Andrey Rublev is the winner of the Open 13 in Marseille after beating the Montreal native Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 7-6 in one hour and 57 minutes.
The Russian served nine aces and won 71% of his first-serve points in a match that went back and forth for almost two hours. It is the first time Rublev has won a Tour title since March 2021 and it is his ninth overall.
“I think that all (of my) battles with Felix had drama and were thrilling matches that went three sets,” The Russian said following his latest win. “He was one of the greatest tennis players last season and (he is at) the beginning of this season”.
Auger-Aliassime, who was the third seed, got off to the better start in the final by getting the first break of the match before Rublev responded by breaking right back to go back on serve at 2-1.
Both players continued to hold serve until 5-5 when it was the Moscow native who earned three chances to break and broke serve. He was able to serve out the first set.
The second stayed on serve until 2-2 when the world number seven had two more breakpoints and broke Auger Aliassime’s serve with a sublime backhand winner.
The world number nine responded right away breaking right back but again was broken the following game before the Russian was able to consolidate a break of serve to lead 5-3.
At 5-4, Auger-Aliassime set up three break points with his powerful forehand and broke serve again on the following point with another sensational forehand winner.
With the Canadian up 6-5, he earned a set point to potentially send the match to a third set but the Russian was able to save it and hold serve to send the second set into a tiebreaker.
Rublev, who was motivated by holding serve, got off to a fast start in the breaker by jumping out to a 3-0 lead and that was enough for him to serve out the match and claim the title.
“In regards to my level, I had to increase it otherwise there was no chance of beating Felix,” said Rublev. “Later in the match he started to play better and I thought about a third set. The end of the match was very tough”.
