Rublev Earns First Dubai Victory

Andrey Rublev began his bid for a third title of 2020 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Monday, defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-4 in 82 minutes.

The sixth seed won 84 per cent of first-serve points (26/31) to earn his 14th victory in 16 matches this season. Rublev is making his main-draw debut in Dubai this year, with his only previous appearance ending in the first round of qualifying in 2017.

The 22-year-old made an impressive start to the season with title runs in Doha and Adelaide, becoming the first man since Dominik Hrbaty in 2004 to open the year with two ATP Tour trophies in as many weeks. Since the start of the year, Rublev has risen nine positions to a career-high No. 14 in the FedEx ATP Rankings.

The four-time ATP Tour titlist will meet Joao Sousa or Filip Krajinovic for a place in the quarter-finals. Rublev has reached the quarter-finals or better in three of his four tournament appearances this year.

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from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/37PX2oB