After enduring a series of previous heartaches, Andrey Rublev dug deep to banish his ATP Masters 1000 demons on Sunday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
The 25-year-old produced a stirring deciding-set comeback to edge Holger Rune in a thrilling final on the clay of the Monte-Carlo Country Club. A two-time beaten finalist and two-time defeated semi-finalist in Masters 1000 events, it was an emotional victory for the World No. 6.
“I have tears,” Rublev said after his 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 win. “I don’t know what to say. I am so happy. I have been struggling so much to win a Masters 1000 tournament. Trailing 1-4, 0/30, then saving break points, thinking there is no chance to win. But somehow I did it.”
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Rublev, one of the most popular stars on Tour with players and fans alike, is a five-time titlist at ATP 500 level. He admitted that the location of his maiden Masters 1000 success made the moment even more special.
“I did it in Monaco, with the really historic tournament,” Rublev said. “It’s a pleasure to be part of it.”
Rublev seeks to maintain his momentum this week as the second seed in Banja Luka. The 19-year-old Rune, the first teenage finalist in Monte-Carlo since Rafael Nadal in 2006, rose to a career-high No. 7 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings despite falling just short of his second Masters 1000 crown.
Photo/Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
ATP Tour contributed to this recap
