Stefanos Tsitsipas has defeated Andrei Rublev in the final of the Mubadala Tennis World Championship in Abu Dhabi, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
His victory comes just one month after defeat at the hands of Rublev in the group stage of the ATP finals in Turin, one which saw him exit the running before reaching the semi finals.
Tsitsipas started strong at Mubadala winning four games in a row to take the first set in just over half an hour.
In the second set, Tsitsipas seemed like he might be beginning to falter, facing problems from Rublev’s returns, who found easy points off the Greek’s serves, securing the set 6-4.
The third set however saw Tsitsipas bring the count back in his favour, breaking Rublev’s service as he came back from 15/40 winning the first game. He followed it up with a successful service making it 2-0.
Breaking Rublev’s serve again Tsitsipas won the next two games, and although Rublev attempted to bring the match back he couldn’t shift the momentum, allowing Tsitsipas to celebrate his second bout in the Mubadala Championship with a title to boot.
Earlier, Casper Ruud prevailed 6-1, 6-4 over Carlos Alcarath in just 68 minutes, in the match dubbed the “mini final” to take third place in the tourney.
Tsitsipas will now continue his preparation for the new season beginning his campaign on 29 December at the United Cup in Perth, a new mixed event organised by the ATP and WTA. He’ll then of course return to the Australian Open from 16 January.
