ATP Dubai: Andrey Rublev Moves Closer To Roger Federer As Denis Shapovalov Wins
The 2nd seed Andrey Rublev is through to the semi-final in Dubai following a 7-5, 6-2 triumph over Marton Fucsovics in an hour and 29 minutes. Andrey grabbed his 23rd consecutive ATP 500 victory, moving closer to Roger Federer’s record and towards another ATP title.
The Russian lost 16 points in ten service games, playing against only one break point and keeping the pressure on the other side. Marton stayed in touch until the opener’s 12th game, getting broken and losing ground in set number two to propel Rublev through.
Andrey forced Marton’s error in the third game to avoid an early setback, with both players serving well to move closer to a tie break. Serving at 5-6, Fucsovics hit a double fault to lose serve and send momentum to the other side of the court, unable to follow Rublev’s pace in set number two.
Andrey served well in the encounter’s second part and earned a break in game four when Marton sprayed a forehand mistake. Returning at 5-2, Rublev placed a backhand return winner to seal the deal and advance into the last four.
The 3rd seed Denis Shapovalov toppled Jeremy Chardy 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 24 minutes, firing ten aces and losing only six points behind the initial shot. Jeremy gave his best to remain in touch, getting broken once in each set to finish his journey in the quarters.
There were no break chances in the opening ten games, and Denis clinched four straight return points to earn a break and open a 6-5 advantage. Serving for the set, the Canadian held at love for 7-5 after 46 minutes, hoping for more in set number two.
There, they stayed neck and neck in the opening eight games before Shapovalov secured a crucial break and held at 15 with an ace to seal the deal and remain on the title course. The Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev took down Jannik Sinner 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 in two and half hours.
The young Italian opened a 4-1 advantage before the Russian erased the deficit to reach a tie break that Jannik claimed 7-5 with an early mini-break. Karatsev served well from set number two and controlled the scoreboard with three breaks in the decider that carried him over the top.
