Andrey Rublev has won his third tour-level title of the season after denying World No. 1 Novak Djokovic his first title of the year on Sunday. The Serb suffered a surprise defeat at home as Second-seeded Rublev won the tie 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-0. The 24-year-old saved five set points in the second set to force a tie-break and while he was unable to prevent Djokovic from levelling the match, Rublev regrouped in the decider as he looked the fitter of the two to triumph after two hours and 29 minutes.
Rublev has now equalled Rafael Nadal's record for the most tour-level titles in 2022, having also clinched crowns in Marseille and Dubai in February. With his maiden victory over a World No. 1, the World No. 8 has levelled his ATP Head2Head series against Serbian Djokovic at 1-1, gaining revenge for his defeat at the Nitto ATP Finals last season.
