The winner of Austria’s largest tournament, endowed with 1.551 million euros, is Andrej Rublew. The 23-year-old eighth in the world ranking won the final of the Erste Bank Open in the Wiener Stadthalle against Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) after 79 minutes 6: 4 6: 4 and became the first Russian champion without losing a set or service tournament held since 1974.
In addition to the 500 ATP points, Rublew received a winner’s check for 105,240 euros, “Lucky Loser” and Djokovic conqueror Sonego was able to comfort himself with 85,000 euros. “A big thank you to Herwig (Straka, note), who made this tournament possible in such difficult times. That means a lot to all of us players “, Rublew thanked the tournament director and in the usual thanks to the fans he revealed:” This tournament is special for me because my grandmother was Austrian, so I have Austrian blood in me. “
For Rublew, who eliminated defending champion Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals, his fifth title this year also meant his first qualification for the ATP Finals in London. The 23-year-old Muscovite can no longer be pushed out of the field of the top eight of the season at the last Masters 1000 event of the year next week. There is now only one space left in the London field.
“I am happy that I won the title and that this is my first time in London,” said Rublew after the win. Physically, the player who now leads this ranking with Novak Djokovic with 39 wins this year feels good. After St. Petersburg he didn’t play much and this week he only had to play three games against Jannik Sinner.
Sonego with “tournament of his life”
Rublew was the clear favorite before the final, but warned because Sonego marched through. It was also the Russian who made the first break of the final to make it 3-2. Actually, it was already a bank due to its strong serve. At 5: 4 Sonego suddenly found two break chances, which the world number one was able to fend off. After 36 minutes Rublew had the 6: 4 in the bag. In the second round Rublew managed the break to 5: 4 at 4: 4 and he subsequently served to win the title.
Sonego was not unhappy despite his defeat. “That was the best tournament of my life. I played the best tennis of my life. I beat number one in the world, ”said the 25-year-old Italian. It was very difficult against Rublew. “He’s got a lot of confidence. He’s so strong, he serves so well, and it’s impossible to break, ”says Sonego. In addition, Rublew’s mentality is also very strong.
