Monte Carlo Masters: Andrey Rublev wins maiden ATP 1000 title after thrilling comeback against Holger Rune
Updated 16/04/2023 at 15:56 GMT
Andrey Rublev won his first Masters title after a thrilling victory against Holger Rune in the Monte Carlo Masters final. Rublev lost the first set and was on the verge of going a double break behind in the final set, before mounting an incredible comeback. He had previously lost the 2021 Monte Carlo Masters and Cincinnati Masters finals, and was overcome with emotion at the end.
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Andrey Rublev completed a thrilling comeback to win his maiden ATP 1000 title with a 5-7 6-2 7-5 victory over Holger Rune at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Rublev was a set down and looked set for the runner-up spot at 3-0 and 4-1 behind in the final set, but roared back in style.
The turning point came when Rublev saved a break point in the sixth game of the last set, before winning six of the last seven games.
“I have tears and don’t know what to say, I'm just so happy," said an emotional Rublev afterwards.
“Finally, after struggling so much to win these 1000 tournaments. Losing 4-1 at 0-30, then break point, I’m thinking there’s no chance to win and somehow I did it.
“I was deep inside hoping I would have one chance, knowing that in previous finals mentally I was not ready and when I was losing I was thinking there would be no chance to win anymore.
“Today I was thinking, ‘OK, if you’re going to lose today, at least believe until the end and that’s what I tried to do in the third set, hoping I would have one chance to come back.”
Rublev saw off an early break point with a fizzing backhand winner, while Rune was also made to save two early break chances on as both players made aggressive starts.
The Russian found himself in trouble when he lost three points in a row on serve to hand his teenage opponent a huge opening, and Rune took the second of his two break points with an explosive return winner.
Rune’s advantage didn’t last long, though, as he managed to save four break points in his subsequent service game, only to cough up the fifth with a wayward shot that handed Rublev an instant reply.
The sixth seed saved a seventh break point of the opening set at 4-4, then pounced on his first set point opportunity as an unforced error from Rublev handed the youngster the opener.
Rublev bounced back quickly in the second set, instantly breaking Rune’s serve before landing two aces on his way to a love hold in a statement start.
The fifth seed saw two break points saved as Rune held on to get off the mark, before the Dane earned three points of his own with a beautifully executed drop shot, taking the second to level things up at 2-2.
But he instantly coughed up another break as Rublev regained the advantage, and the Russian firmly swung the set in his favour with a hold and a third break to go 5-2 up as Rune’s unforced error count crept up. Rublev’s third ace of the match set up two set points, and he took the second to force a decider.
Rune needed to get back on the board quickly in the third set after a run of four consecutive games for Rublev, and the youngster managed to hold under pressure to get things started on the right footing.
The momentum then swung back in the favour of the Dane, as he pumped his arms to the crowd for encouragement at break point, and took his chance with some aggressive hitting.
Rublev suddenly found himself 3-0 down but wouldn't go down without a fight and got a hold on the board before forcing two break points, but again he couldn't take them as Rune saved both, taking his tally of saved break points to 11 from 15 overall.
A break chance for Rune at 1-4 threatened to push the match further in the Dane's favour, but he squandered it, and Rublev then pushed himself firmly back into contention by finally seizing one of his break chances to put the decider back on serve and consolidating with a hold to level it at 4-4.
The next two games were shared and a first ever Monte Carlo Masters final tie-break beckoned, only for Rune to make two unforced errors in the 11th game as he hit two balls into the crowd in frustration.
Amid boos from the spectators, Rublev took advantage by breaking his opponent and held his nerve to serve out the match.
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