Russia’s Andrey Rublev beat South Africa’s rising tennis star, Lloyd Harris, in straight sets to become the first man in 16 years to win back-to-back titles in the opening two weeks of the season. Rublev beat the young, up and coming South African 6-3, 6-LOVE to capture the Adelaide International title.
Harris will draw solace in the knowledge that on Monday, his ranking will rise to a career high 72 in the world, while Rublev moves from 18 up to 16 in the ATP rankings.
Rublev claimed the first break of the match in the sixth game. The Russian, once again, targeted his opponent’s forehand to hold serve for 5-2. Two games later, he served out the set.
Harris committed 16 unforced errors in the first set compared to Rublev’s 6.
In the opening game of the second set, Rublev was looking to take full advantage of Harris’ errors. He earned two further service breaks before closing out the match with attacking play.
Harris committed 27 unforced errors in the second set, making life easy for the Russian.
How it happened from court side…@AndreyRublev97 | #AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/h8VySf8AFD
— Adelaide International (@AdelaideTennis) January 18, 2020
It took Rublev just 56 minutes to clinch the match. He says he knew the South African was a good player as they had practiced together before.
“It was our first meeting and I knew that he was a good player. We practice once before and for sure he will have a great career. It’s more about work, that’s it. I just want to say congratulations for your first final as well, I know you wanted to win; I’m so sorry.”
Harris says he grew in confidence with every match he played.
“It was not easy to play so many matches, but day after day, I grew in confidence; I played better and better. Today Andrey was just too good, but what a fantastic week for me.”
Last week, the Russian won at the Qatar Open in Doha without dropping a set. The last man to lift two trophies in as many weeks to open the season was Slovakia’s Dominik Hrbaty in 2004. He won in Adelaide and in Auckland ahead of the Australian Open that starts in Melbourne on Monday.
A message from your Adelaide International champion, @AndreyRublev97 #AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/FvZpKUFYEr
— Adelaide International (@AdelaideTennis) January 18, 2020
