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The top seed Andrey Rublev made a perfect start to the season after lifting his 15th ATP title in Hong Kong. Andrey faced Emil Ruusuvuori in the final and scored a 6-4, 6-4 victory in an hour and 17 minutes, celebrating an ATP title for the sixth straight season.
Andrey is the fifth Russian player with 15 ATP titles in the Open era, and he is hoping for more in the rest of the season. Rublev produced a clinic behind the second serve, defending the only break point and keeping the pressure on Ruusuvuori.
The Finn fought well, but it was not enough for a set, saving five break points but losing serve once in each set, settling with the runner-up prize. They stayed neck and neck in the more advanced rallies, and Rublev forged the advantage in the shortest to bring the victory home.
Andrey made a promising start and created two break chances in the encounter's first game. Emil denied them and painted a backhand down the line winner, avoiding an early setback.
Andrey Rublev claimed his 15th ATP title in Hong Kong.
They served well in the next five games, with Rublev cracking an ace in game six to lock them at 3-3 after 24 minutes. The Russian pushed strong on the return in the seventh game, creating two break chances and converting the second with a cracking backhand down the line winner.
Finding his A-game in those moments, Andrey grabbed the eighth game with an ace and cemented the lead, forcing Emil to serve to stay in the set. Rublev forced Ruusuvuori's mistake with a deep return, creating two set points.
The Finn saved the first with a service winner, and the Russian squandered the second with a rare careless forehand. The lower-ranked player clinched an incredible rally, holding and prolonging the action. Andrey served for the set at 5-4 and experienced the match's only shaky service game.
Rublev wasted two set points and faced a break point.
The top seed erased it with a powerful serve and held after the rival's backhand error for 6-4 after 44 minutes.
With a boost by his side, Andrey barely lost a point behind the initial shot in the second set, keeping the pressure on Emil. They served well early on, offering the returners no chances. Ruusuvuori grabbed the fifth game at love with an ace, and Rublev followed that pace in the next one for 3-3.
The Finn needed another fine hold at 4-4, but the Russian had other plans. Andrey fired a forehand down the line winner for three break points, cementing the first with a forced error and opening a 5-4 gap. Rublev served for the victory in game ten and fired four winners, wrapping up an impressive display and starting the season with the trophy.