Dubai Duty Free Tennis: Rublev, Griekspoor advance as Draper and Bublik exit
Centre Court packed with near-capacity, enthusiastic tennis fans
DUBAI – Andrey Rublev signalled his intent to reclaim the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title, dispatching fellow former champion Ugo Humbert in a titanic three-set tussle on Centre Court.
The two-time Dubai finalist and 2022 winner drew on fond memories at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, while Humbert, who lifted the title in 2024, sought to tame a second former champion in as many days after defeating reigning champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.
From the outset, the near-capacity crowd roared in support, creating an electric atmosphere. Chants of “Let’s go, Andrey” and “Allez, Ugo” reverberated around all four grandstands as the match unfolded with relentless intensity.
Set battles
The first set remained on serve through six games until Rublev capitalised on two break points created by uncharacteristic double faults from Humbert. Seizing the opportunity, Rublev broke the Frenchman to take the set 6-4. The second set mirrored the first, with both players holding serve until Humbert narrowly claimed the tiebreak 7-5 to level the match.
The decider began evenly, but Rublev surged to a 4-1 lead after holding, breaking, and holding again. Despite Humbert earning two break points at 5-3, Rublev held firm, firing a series of massive serves including two aces to seal the match 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3.
Rublev said: “It was a very dramatic ending. I’m really happy I was able to keep going and save the last game. It’s difficult to close a match; you can make a double-fault, or a mistake, but I made three good serves and that helped me a lot.”
Quarterfinal line-up
Rublev now faces France’s Arthur Rinderknech, who defeated British fourth seed Jack Draper in another three-set thriller, 7-5, 6-7, 6-4. The match concluded after midnight under an eerie mist, with only two breaks of serve deciding the outcome. Draper, returning from a six-month injury layoff, exits the tournament with commendable form.
On New Court 1, the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor stunned second seed Alexander Bublik in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. Griekspoor will face sixth seed Jakub Mensik, who overcame Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2, in the quarterfinals.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Running until Saturday, tickets remain available from Dh65.