Dubai Open Highlights: Rublev defeats Fokina – Defending champion Andrey Rublev fought valiantly to clinch a come-from-behind win against Alejandro Davdovich Fokina in the second round of the Dubai Open 2023 on Wednesday, 1st March 2023. The World No. 6 saved 5 match points to clinch a 1-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(3) victory and advanced to the quarterfinals. Follow Dubai Open 2023 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Dubai Open Highlights: Andrey Rublev DEFEATS Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in nail-biting thriller, advances to quarterfinal in Dubai Open 2023 – Watch Highlights
After the win, Rublev now dominates the ATP Head2Head 2-0 against the Spaniard, who was very close to victory in Dubai. Fokina dominated the first set completely and won the first set 6-1. He led the tiebreaker of the second set also 6-1. But Rublev closed the gap with a lot of grit and an extraordinary level of tennis.
With everything even, after dealing that moral blow to his rival, Rublev continued to do his thing, taking advantage of the headwind, but he found a Davidovich Fokina who held the pace, recovering to fight again. And so it was in the third set, where both rivals pushed themselves to the limit until Rublev prevailed again in another tie-break, eliminating the Spaniard and opening the doors to the next round in Dubai.
“I am super happy to win this match against such a great and tough player. The beginning wasn’t good. He [Davidovich Fokina] started really well, hitting hard, and I didn’t have many options. Then I started to be positive and came back in the crazy tiebreak from 6-1. I’ve never done it in my life before. I won the final set tiebreak also. So, I’m really, really happy,” Rublev said.
He will next face Botic van de Zndschulp for a spot in the semifinals of the tournament on Thursday, 2nd March 2023.
Dubai Open Highlights: Andrey Rublev DEFEATS Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in nail-biting thriller, advances to quarterfinal in Dubai Open 2023 – Watch Highlights
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