JAKARTA - Andrey Rublev finally picked up his ninth career title on Sunday after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) in the final of the Marseille tournament.
"All the matches I've experienced with Felix since the first time in 2018 have always been nuanced with drama," Rublev said during an interview on the pitch, quoted from Antara, Monday. "Everyone there was at least one set that ended 7-6 and now he's one of the greatest players."
The world number seven Russia made up for her loss to the Canadian who won their meeting in the semifinals of Rotterdam last week, having lost their previous eight finals.
"I had a good two weeks," said the Canadian. "I hope to win more titles."
Rublev has now won all of the five hardcourt finals he has competed in, but has been in poor form over the past 12 months.
Since winning in Rotterdam last March, Rublev has lost finals in Monte-Carlo, Cincinnati and Halle.
Third seed Auger-Aliassime broke second seed Rublev in the second game, but Rublev broke immediately in the 12th game to take the set.
In the second set, Rublev failed to serve to make it 5-4, but he saved a set point in the next service game to force the tiebreak he won to close the game in one hour 57 minutes.
"From 5-4 he started to play better and I think it will be three sets," said Rublev. "But somehow I was able to raise my level and in the end it became difficult."
The 24-year-old Russian is scheduled to return to court at 16.00 GMT for the men's doubles final with Ukraine's Denys Molchanov against doubles specialists Raven Klaasen of South Africa and Ben McLachlan of Japan.
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