Andrey Rublev was feeling ‘super happy’ after winning the Dubai title beating Jiri Vesely 6-3 6-4.
The Russian won his second consecutive ATP title after claiming a straight sets win over the Czech Qualifier.
Vesely has had an amazing week beating Marin Cilic, Roberto Bautista Agut, Novak Djokovic and Denis Shapovalov en route to the final but the world number 123 fell short of the title.
Rublev’s consistent power was too much in the opening set as a break in the fourth game sealed a 3-1 lead over the Czech.
Despite Vesely’s supreme serving the qualifier couldn’t break through Rublev’s tough defences as the Russian cruised to the opening set.
Rublev continued the momentum into the second set as he secured a break in the opening game.
Vesely fought back though and valiantly earned the break back in the sixth game before Rublev retaliated with a long break of his own to regain the lead at 4-3.
The Russian closed out the match to seal his 10th ATP singles title and his second consecutive after winning Marseille last week.
After the match Rublev admitted he was tired but happy for this win, “I feel super happy even though I am tired,” Rublev told the ATP website.
“I was lucky today, and that’s why I am happy to be the champion, I didn’t expect this. It’s an amazing feeling and I don’t know what to say. I think it is likely Jiri was also tired, he had really tough matches since qualies.
“He beat top players starting from the first round. [Marin] Cilic, he beat Roberto [Bautista Agut], then he beat Novak [Djokovic], yesterday he beat Shapo 7-6 in the third. Trust me, when you beat these kinds of players, it’s almost impossible to stand up and walk, and he was able to play. Good job to him, good job for the week.”
Rublev hasn’t just made news on court with the Russian’s camera signature with the words ‘no war please,’ calling for the end of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making news everywhere.
However the Russian has kept his emotions under control to complete a memorable February.
Rublev will now enter Indian Wells as the world number six as he looks to continue the momentum.
Indian Wells will start on the 10th of March with the Russian receiving a first round BYE.
