World number 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas beat defending champion Andrey Rublev 6-2 4-6 6-2 to win the title at the 14th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championships at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports Centre, in Abu Dhabi.
Tsitsipas followed up with straight-set wins over Cameron Norrie and Casper Ruud with a three-set win over Rublev.
Tsitsipas converted a break point in each of the first and third games and held his serve easily to race out to a 4-0 lead. The Greek player saved two break points in a marathon sixth game featuring six deuces to hold for 5-1 and served out the first set with a hold to 30 in the eighth game.
Both players went on serve until the 10th game when Ruud earned his first break on the set point to win the second set 6-4.
Rublev went up 40-15 in the first game of the decisive set but committed errors to face a break point. Tsitsipas broke twice in the first game, as Rublev slammed a forehand wide. Tsitsipas broke for the second time in the third game and closed out the third set 6-2 with a love service hold.
Tsitsipas reached the final in his previous appearance at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships.
“It was great. I felt very on the court. I was covering the court much better. My serve was very consistent, which helped a lot. I know it’s an exhibition and I wish to be playing like this in ATP events, but regardless, I see it as a big positive and, hopefully, I can keep building in this way”, said Tsitsipas.
Despite the defeat Rublev enjoyed a good week in Abu Dhabi highlighted by wins over Borna Coric in the quarter finals and Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal.
“I feel great about the week. All the players are here to play against top players, to feel the tension, to feel the atmosphere and emotions before the season. I have said before, normally I face guys like Alcaraz and Tsitsipas in the quarter finals and the semifinals but her I play them straight away, so it helps to prepare for the season”, said Rublev.
World number 3 Casper Ruud beat Carlos Alcaraz 6-1 6-4 to claim third place in a re-match of this year’s US Open final.
Ruud beat Alcaraz twice in exhibition tournaments. Alcaraz won his previous official ATP Tour matches in two top finals at the Miami Open and at the US Open.
Ruud raced out to a 4-0 lead in the opening set. Alcaraz pulled one break back in the fifth game for 1-4, but Ruud broke at love in the sixth game to close out the opening set 6-1 after 26 minutes.
Ruud saved five break points in the second and sixth games of the second set. The Norwegian player earned the break in the ninth game for 5-4 and closed out the match with a hold at love in the 10th game.
Ruud had been on a Latin American Tour of exhibition matches with Rafael Nadal and spent a one-week holiday before the Mubadala World Tennis Championships. Alcaraz came back from an abdominal injury which forced him to miss the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
“Carlos had a little bit of tough end to the year, was struggling a little bit end with injury and has played a lot better than he did today. For me it gives me a good indication. After yesterday, I thought I was quite far behind but after today maybe I am a bit further ahead than I thought and if I am playing well, I can beat good players. I have had some really good days of practice which is the most important thing to get ready for next year, so I am happy to start my pre-season in Abu Dhabi and for sure got what I wanted from the trip”, said Casper Ruud.
Despite the defeat Alcaraz is confident that he will be in top shape for the Australian Open.
“In the process of practice, I have been working to recover my level and feel more comfortable on court. That’s the aim, to try and feel comfortable on court”, said Alcaraz.