Rublev wins in Dubai

Final day in Dubai.

2022 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships - an ATP 500 tournament, on Hard Deco Turf II, in Dubai, UAE, 21-26 February 2022.

Event held last year from 14-20 March 2021.

Defending champion:

Wildcard Aslan Karatsev who defeated qualifier Lloyd Harris 6-3 6-2

Final:

Qualifier Jiri Vesely (Czech Republic) v Andrey Rublev (2) (Russia)

These players had never met previously.

In his fourth final Vesely was aiming to win his third title, the most recent coming in Pune - February 2020.

In his fifteenth final, Rublev was aiming to win his tenth title, the most recent coming in Marseille last week.

Vesely saved a break point in the fourth game, but couldn’t prevent Rublev from converting a second, and the second seed led 3-1.

No more break points for the set which Rublev served out 6-3. He won 20 of 22 points on his own serve for the set.

Rublev broke in the opening game of set two, and consolidated for 2-0.

Vesely saved two break points when serving at 1-3, and eventually held on.

In the next game Vesely broke back, after Rublev had saved three break points. 3-3.

Rublev regained his advantage by breaking Vesely again, then delivering a love game for 5-3.

Vesely held serve, requiring Rublev to serve for the match.

Rublev netted a forehand between two excellent serves. 30-15. A forehand passing shot from Vesely. 30-30. Backhand return was long from Vesely and it produced match point.

Another forehand passing shot from Vesely. Deuce. Backhand long from the same racquet. A second match point. 

Netted forehand from Vesely and the match was over.

Andrey Rublev won 6-3 6-4 and captured his second title in two outings.