Tennis

Emotional Andrey Rublev wins title in Dubai

Sentinel Digital Desk

DUBAI: An emotional Andrey Rublev said he will sleep for two days after securing his third trophy in seven days by ending the dream run of Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the Dubai final on Saturday.

The second-seeded Russian won the singles and doubles titles in Marseille last Sunday before flying to the Emirates and clawing his way to a 10th career singles crown, and a fifth at the ATP 500 level.

"For sure for the next two days I will sleep, I won't leave my bed," said Rublev, whose plea for peace in Ukraine after his win the previous night went viral across news stations worldwide.

"Finally I can rest for maybe one week now. I feel super happy, even though maybe I'm tired.

"I think I was lucky today that Jiri also was super tired. He had really tough matches since qualies, three sets, he beat top players starting from the first round, so I was super lucky that he couldn't perform the way he can.

"I was lucky today and that's why I'm happy to be the champion, I didn't expect this. It's an amazing feeling."

Rublev entered the Dubai final having contested 17 matches -- across singles and doubles -- in three weeks, 12 of which were three-setters. Agencies

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