Andrey Rublev of Russia competes during the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
SHANGHAI, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Andrey Rublev eased into the final at the ATP Shanghai Masters by edging his old friend Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(7), 6-3 here on Saturday.
Rublev, who got his first championship of ATP Masters in Monte Carlo in April, will challenge his second title of Masters this season on Sunday against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland.
Rublev showed his thought about Hurkacz, "Hubi (Hurkacz) is a tough player. He has good strokes from baseline. He moves well, really well, especially for his height. He really has good defense game. The serve, one of the best serves on tour, is making him really, really tough player that you need to be all the time super focused. "
The Pole beat Sebastian Korda earlier on Saturday.
Finishing the game in 77 minutes, Hurkacz considered the match as his best one in Shanghai Masters.
"I was definitely happy with my performance today. I was playing well off the ground and serving well."
"Sebi is a really tough opponent, he's a great returner, so you just need to play well against him, because if you don't he's just going to take advantage of your shots."
"I think I'm off the ground, I'm pretty aggressive, I'm playing well, the serve's been helping a lot, as well. So, I think just, you know, obviously pretty happy with the improvements here and just try to keep building on it." ■
Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns the ball during the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Andrey Rublev of Russia competes during the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria competes during the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Andrey Rublev of Russia returns the ball during the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria serves during the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Andrey Rublev of Russia reacts during the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Andrey Rublev of Russia celebrates after the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Andrey Rublev of Russia rests during the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Andrey Rublev of Russia celebrates after the men's singles semifinal between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and Andrey Rublev of Russia at the ATP World Tour Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
