Three years after losing an epic final to Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas secured the title in Abu Dhabi. The Greek toppled Andrey Rublev 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 in an hour and 33 minutes to lift the Mubadala World Tennis Championship trophy.
Thus, Tsitsipas dethroned Rublev and became the sixth champion at the prestigious exhibition event. Andrey defeated Stefanos at the ATP Finals in November, and the better-ranked player served his revenge in Abu Dhabi. The Greek played better behind the first serve and defended two out of three break chances.
Rublev clinched the second set with that lone break but experienced four breaks of serve in sets one and three to propel the rival over the top. Andrey squandered game points in the encounter’s first game and hit a double fault to find himself behind.
Stefanos fired a forehand winner for three game points in game two and closed it with a powerful serve to confirm the break and move 2-0 up.
Stefanos Tsitsipas secured the Mubadala World Tennis Championship title.
Rublev sprayed a forehand mistake in the third game to experience another break and fall further behind before Tsitsipas held at 30 to forge a 4-0 lead.
Andrey held at love in the fifth game with a smash winner to get his name to the scoreboard. The sixth game was the most extended one, and Stefanos fended off two break points and closed it after six deuces to keep his serve intact.
Andrey reduced the deficit with a hold in game seven, and Stefanos wrapped up the opener with two powerful serves at 30-30 in the next one for 6-2 in 33 minutes. The returners stood no chance in the second set’s opening nine games, barely winning a point and allowing servers to control the pace.
The Russian placed a volley winner at the net at 5-4 to earn a set point and converted it after the rival’s volley mistake to close the set and introduce a decider. Tsitsipas made a fresh start and grabbed a break in the opening game after Rublev’s wayward forehand.
With a boost on his side, Stefanos placed a forehand winner in the third game for a double break and a massive advantage. Tsitsipas fired a service winner for a hold at love in game four and 4-0, marching toward the finish line.
Andrey delivered two holds at love to reduce the deficit to 5-2, with Stefanos serving for the victory in game eight. The Greek landed three service winners and forced the Russian’s mistake to seal the deal and lift the trophy.
