Andrey Rublev advanced to his second final in as many weeks with a 6-2, 6-4 win against Alex Molcan on Saturday at the Srpska Open. One week after claiming his biggest title in Monte-Carlo, the Banja Luka second seed has continued his red-hot form by reaching the title match without losing a set.
"In the beginning I played really well, and then second set a lost a bit of focus," Rublev assessed. "Alex played a few good games and I started to get tight, I started to get nervous. But in the end I was able to win and that's the most important thing."
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The 25-year-old is bidding to join Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in the club of multiple tour-level titlists in 2023. He could also become the fifth man this season to win an ATP Tour trophy without losing a set, with either Miomir Kecmanovic or Dusan Lajovic to stand in his way in Sunday's final.
"Of course it's always good to finish in two sets, to not play three sets, a long match, because physically you get exhausted," the World No. 6 said of his efficiency. "The deeper you go, it's better if you play two sets because you're fresher for the end of the tournament."
Now 21-8 on the year, Rublev is 16-3 in his past 19 matches with an eight-match winning streak over the past two weeks.
Rublev saved nine of 11 break points against Molcan, including all five he faced in the opening set, while converting five of his 11 break chances on return. His baseline power overwhelmed the Slovakian early, with Rublev building a 5-1 lead in the first set and a 3-1 advantage in set two.
But Molcan settled in as the match wore on and broke in consecutive return games in an eventful close to the second set. From 3-2, four straight games went the way of the returner. At 4-4, Rublev battled through six deuces and landed the decisive blow on his fourth break point of that marathon game, managing his emotions well after a few frustrating misses.
From 30/30 in the final game, Rublev powered through the finish line with a big forehand and a fifth ace on match point.
Molcan, playing in his first semi-final of the season, was seeking his first ATP Tour title and a fourth final this week.
"In the beginning I played really well, and then second set a lost a bit of focus," Rublev assessed. "Alex played a few good games and I started to get tight, I started to get nervous. But in the end I was able to win and that's the most important thing."
[ATP APP]
The 25-year-old is bidding to join Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in the club of multiple tour-level titlists in 2023. He could also become the fifth man this season to win an ATP Tour trophy without losing a set, with either Miomir Kecmanovic or Dusan Lajovic to stand in his way in Sunday's final.
"Of course it's always good to finish in two sets, to not play three sets, a long match, because physically you get exhausted," the World No. 6 said of his efficiency. "The deeper you go, it's better if you play two sets because you're fresher for the end of the tournament."
Now 21-8 on the year, Rublev is 16-3 in his past 19 matches with an eight-match winning streak over the past two weeks.
Rublev saved nine of 11 break points against Molcan, including all five he faced in the opening set, while converting five of his 11 break chances on return. His baseline power overwhelmed the Slovakian early, with Rublev building a 5-1 lead in the first set and a 3-1 advantage in set two.
But Molcan settled in as the match wore on and broke in consecutive return games in an eventful close to the second set. From 3-2, four straight games went the way of the returner. At 4-4, Rublev battled through six deuces and landed the decisive blow on his fourth break point of that marathon game, managing his emotions well after a few frustrating misses.
From 30/30 in the final game, Rublev powered through the finish line with a big forehand and a fifth ace on match point.
Molcan, playing in his first semi-final of the season, was seeking his first ATP Tour title and a fourth final this week.