Andrey Rublev is the winner of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2023 when he overcame Holger Rune in the final: 5-7, 6-2, 7-5. Like Saturday in the semis against Taylor Fritz he lost the first set to clinch the victory. It is his first Masters 1000 title in his career. “I just don’t know what to say. I am so happy,” he said in tears at the ceremony, when he received the trophy.
Two years ago he lost the final to Stefanos Tsitispas. “I have been struggling so much to win a Masters 1000 tournament. And I thought there were no chances for me anymore when it was 4-1 for Rune in the third set, but somehow I did it. I was only hoping that I would have one other chance. I believed until the end.”
Rune had a good start and won the first set but from that moment Rublev had the better of the game and could impose his will on his opponent more. He won the second set with confidence. In the final set the Danish teenager took the lead again and at 4-1 30-0 nothing looked positive for Rublev but he was able to turn the match back in favour. He broke twice his opponent’s service and finished the match in style with an ace. In this week the 25 year-old Rublev has beaten Munar, Khachanov, Struff, Fritz and Rune to have his name on the winner’s list of Monte Carlo.
PHOTO: The winner lifts the trophy
