Andrey Rublev secured his spot in the final of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters with a 5-7 6-1 6-3 win over Taylor Fritz in their first match on clay in a rain-delayed semifinal.
Fritz won a hard-fought first set 7-5 that featured seven break points before Rublev bounced back to win the second set 6-1. Fritz was serving at 7-5 1-6 2-3 when the match was interrupted due to rain. Rublev reached the 19th ATP Tour final of his career.
The match featured 13 breaks of serve. Rublev hit 26 winners to Fritz’ 21 and made 16 unforced errors to Fritz’s 26.
Rublev earned his first break in the six-minute first game after an unforced error from Fritz at 30-40. The Russian player hit two aces to hold serve for 2-0.
Fritz held on serve before breaking back to draw level to 2-2, as Rublev pushed a forehand wide. Rublev converted his third break point in a eight-minute fifth game. Fritz came back from 40-15 to break back to draw level to 3-3. Both players finally managed to hold serve after four consecutive breaks. Fritz saved two break points to take the ninth game to deuce, but Rublev converted his third break point earning his chance to to serve out the first set. Fritz won four consecutive points to break back drawing level to 5-5. Fritz hit an ace to hold serve, before winning four consecutive points from 15-40 down on Rublev’s serve to break serve for the fourth time and clinch the first set 7-5.
Rublev bounced back by breaking in the opening game of the second set and held serve to open up a 2-0 lead with a forehand winner. The Russian player saved three break points and earned two more breaks to seal the second set 6-1 sending the semifinal to the decider.
Both players held their opening service games for the first time. Fritz earned two break points and converted his first chance after an unforced error from Rublev.
Rublev earned two break points in the next game, as Fritz sent her forehand long. Fritz fended off the first chance with a forehand winner down the line in a 40-shot rally. Rublev hit a backhand winner down the line. Rublev converted his second chance with a backhand winner down the line to draw level to 2-2.
Rublev held serve at love to edge ahead 3-2 before the match was interrupted by rain. The Russian player broke serve before holding serve to open up a 5-2 lead. Fritz saved three match points on serve, but Rublev served out the match with a love hold.
Rublev will be seeking his first Masters 1000 title after finishing runner-up in his two previous finals in Monte-Carlo 2021 and Cincinnati 2022.
“It was really tough, especially against Taylor. I lost the past three times against him, including in the semifinals in Indian Wells. It was tough mentally to play against him because I was thinking if I would have a chance. I started really well and I was up a break and he broke me back, but I knew I would have chances. In the end, we had a great match and I am pleased with the win”, said Rublev.
