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Banja Luka

Red-Hot Rublev Reaches Banja Luka Final

Second seed will face Lajovic in Sunday's title match
April 22, 2023
Monte-Carlo champion Andrey Rublev extends his winning streak to eight matches with a semi-final victory in Banja Luka. By ATP Staff

Andrey Rublev advanced to his second final in as many weeks with a 6-2, 6-4 win against Alex Molcan on Saturday at the Srpska Open. One week after claiming his biggest title in Monte-Carlo, the Banja Luka second seed has continued his red-hot form by reaching the title match without losing a set.

"In the beginning I played really well, and then second set I lost a bit of focus," Rublev assessed. "Alex played a few good games and I started to get tight, I started to get nervous. But in the end I was able to win and that's the most important thing."

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The 25-year-old is bidding to join Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in the club of players with multiple tour-level titles in 2023. He could also become the fifth man this season to win an ATP Tour trophy without losing a set, with Dusan Lajovic standing in his way in Sunday's final.

"Of course it's always good to finish in two sets, to not play three sets, a long match, because physically you get exhausted," the World No. 6 said of his efficiency. "The deeper you go, it's better if you play two sets because you're fresher for the end of the tournament."

Now 21-8 on the year, Rublev is 16-3 in his past 19 matches with an eight-match winning streak over the past two weeks.

Rublev saved nine of 11 break points against Molcan, including all five he faced in the opening set, while converting five of his 11 break chances on return. His baseline power overwhelmed the Slovakian early, with Rublev building a 5-1 lead in the first set and a 3-1 advantage in set two. 

But Molcan settled in as the match wore on and broke in consecutive return games in an eventful close to the second set. From 3-2, four straight games went the way of the returner. At 4-4, Rublev battled through six deuces and landed the decisive blow on his fourth break point of that marathon game, managing his emotions well after a few frustrating misses.

From 30/30 in the final game, Rublev powered through the finish line with a big forehand and a fifth ace on match point. Molcan, playing in his first semi-final of the season, was seeking his first ATP Tour title and a fourth final this week.

In the day's second semi-final, Miomir Kecmanovic served for a place in the final. But fellow Serbian Lajovic rallied past him for a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 victory after three hours.

Kecmanovic won an incredible point to break for 5-4 in the second set and serve for the match, but was unable to close it out and that cost him.

"Honestly he had me by the ropes. I was done," Lajovic said in his on-court interview. "But somehow I managed to get back in the match and win the tie-break. I played pretty good in the tie-break and then I felt pretty confident in the third set even though I was going down physically. I think we both were."

Lajovic won his only previous ATP Head2Head meeting with Rublev, but that clash came four years ago in Umag. The Serbian, who went on to win that tournament, will try to lift his second ATP Tour trophy on Sunday.

"No secrets with Andrey. I think he's the favourite. He's playing the best tennis of his life," Lajovic said. "We know each other very well, so I'm hoping to be able physically to enjoy tomorrow in the final. Normally I like to play in the final, so I'm hoping for a nice match."

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