Rublev to face Rune in Monte Carlo Masters final | CBC Sports

Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev reached the Monte Carlo Masters final for the second time after rallying to beat eighth-seeded American Taylor Fritz 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 in a rain-interrupted contest on Saturday in Monaco.

The Russian player, who lost in the final two years ago, goes for his 13th career title and first at Masters level against sixth-seeded Dane Holger Rune.

Rune also fought back to win 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 against No. 7 Jannik Sinner of Italy in another rain-marred match, which finished under floodlights at 9:45 p.m. local time.

The 21-year-old Sinner was competing in his third straight Masters semi this season and was cheered on by a large contingent of Italian fans.

Sinner broke the 19-year-old Rune’s serve twice and served out the first set comfortably.

The players went off for a rain delay with Rune leading 3-0 in the second set. Sinner fought back when they returned but Rune held firm to send the match into a deciding set under floodlights.

A tense match ended when Sinner sent a backhand into the net and Rune celebrated by pointing a finger to his head as he set up a third career meeting with Rublev.

They are tied 1-1 ahead of their first contest on clay.

Earlier, under cloudy skies, Rublev levelled the match on his fourth set point when Fritz, the French Open junior runner-up in 2015, double-faulted for the fifth time.

He broke Rublev to lead 2-1 in the deciding set but trailed 15-40 in the next game.

Fritz won a 40-stroke rally to save one break point, but Rublev let out a roar after a stinging backhand down the line won the next point as he broke straight back. He then held for 3-2 as the rain started falling more heavily.

The chair umpire wanted to continue at first, but both players were reluctant and play was suspended at around 4 p.m., before resuming under clearing skies at 5:40 p.m.

Rublev broke serve immediately in windy conditions, winning a 34-stroke rally when his backhand from Fritz’s drop shot landed just in, and then holding easily for 5-2.

Serving to stay in the match, Fritz saved three match points. But Rublev won with a love hold on serve, clinching victory with a crisp forehand winner that wrong-footed Fritz.

“It was really tough, especially against Taylor. I lost the past three times [against him],” Rublev said. “I started really well and then I was up a break and then he broke me back, but I knew I would have chances.”

The 25-year-olds, who are friends, shared a warm hug at the net after facing each other for the seventh time.

“In the end we had a great match and I am pleased with the win,” said Rublev, who now trails Fritz 4-3 overall.