Rublev storms into fifth Dubai semi-final to join Federer and Djokovic
Griekspoor sets up last-four clash after intense night battle
DUBAI – Andrey Rublev etched his name further into the history of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday night, advancing to a fifth semi-final in the tournament’s 34-year history and joining an exclusive list that features only Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
The No. 5 seed required just 75 minutes to dismantle France’s Arthur Rinderknech in emphatic fashion on Centre Court.
For Rublev, the milestone represents another chapter in a love affair with Dubai that has already yielded the 2022 title and a runner-up finish the following year. This time, the World No. 18 blended his trademark ferocity with poise and tactical sharpness to move seamlessly into Friday’s final four.
Ruthless display
The 28-year-old delivered a 6-2, 6-4 victory at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, overwhelming Rinderknech with early aggression and relentless ball-striking. He stormed through 11 of the opening 14 games, striking 19 winners while keeping unforced errors down to 11 in one of his cleanest performances of the season.
Though widely recognised for detonating forehands from the baseline, Rublev’s versatility stood out. His anticipation and court coverage repeatedly neutralised the Frenchman’s attempts to shorten rallies. A pivotal moment arrived in the fifth game of the opening set when Rublev broke for a 3-2 lead. After chasing down a backhand return and looping it high, he sprinted across the tramlines to redirect an inch-perfect forehand that clipped the baseline, leaving Rinderknech stranded.
“It’s tough to say something about my level because Arthur is the kind of player who breaks the rhythm,” Rublev said. “He doesn't play rallies. He hits two or three shots, serves super hard, returns super hard, so there is no rhythm. That’s why it is important to have all the focus on the first two, three shots. All my game was based on those first two or three shots; to not let him get a good position to attack and instead force him to hit from tough positions.”
The victory extended Rublev’s head-to-head dominance over Rinderknech to 4-0. After sealing match point, he remained on court for an additional 40 minutes, signing autographs and posing for photographs with fans.
Quick turnaround
Thursday’s controlled performance contrasted sharply with his previous outing against 2024 champion Ugo Humbert, a gruelling three-set contest lasting two hours and 23 minutes that featured a second-set tie-break. The efficiency of the quarter-final will aid recovery as Rublev contests his third semi-final of the season, having also reached the last four in Hong Kong and Doha.
“I’m happy to be back in the semi-final,” he said. “Arthur is a tough player. We have had great battles in the past, so I’m really happy that I was able to win in straight sets, especially after a long and tough match. To be able to win in straight sets helps a lot as I’ll have more time to recover.”
Dutch challenge
Awaiting Rublev is Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, who secured back-to-back Dubai semi-final appearances with a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win over the in-form Jakub Mensik under the lights.
Griekspoor, 29, produced a composed display to earn his 11th career semi-final berth. Despite Mensik arriving in Dubai with 13 victories in 2026 and leading the ATP Tour in wins this season, the 20-year-old struggled to impose himself in the opening and deciding sets. Although he fired 16 aces across the contest, key moments slipped away.
In the decisive third set, serving at 3-3, Mensik was left on his back after chasing a sharply angled return that eluded his reach, a point emblematic of Griekspoor’s control. The Dutchman had earlier eliminated No2 seed Alexander Bublik in the previous round.
“I thought I started off really, really well,” Griekspoor said. “I broke him with a good game from my side. I didn’t really have any problems. It shifted a little bit in the second set, I didn't make as many first serves and he started to serve better. At the beginning of the third, I had to up my game, serve better, which I really did. In the end, I started to return really well too, so I am very pleased with the win.”
Tournament stage
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The ATP 500 event runs until Saturday, with tickets starting from Dh65 and limited availability remaining for the closing stages.
With Rublev chasing a second Dubai crown and Griekspoor aiming to go one step further than last year, the tournament’s final weekend is set against a backdrop of history, form and opportunity at one of the ATP Tour’s most established stops.