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World no. 70 Dusan Lajovic is a two-time ATP champion. Dusan experienced a great week in Banja Luka, beating Novak Djokovic, Miomir Kecmanovic and Andrey Rublev to earn his first ATP trophy since Umag 2019. Lajovic met the Monte Carlo champion Andrey Rublev in the title clash and prevailed 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 32 minutes to become the champion and earn 250 ATP points.
Dusan played better behind the first serve and struggled on the second. The Serb defended five out of eight break points and stole the Russian's serve four times from ten chances to emerge at the top. Dusan had to work hard in the encounter's first game, fending off three break points and rattling off five straight points to avoid an early setback.
Rublev struggled behind the initial shot in the fifth game and got broken on the fifth break chance after a loose backhand.
Dusan Lajovic claimed his second ATP title in Banja Luka over Andrey Rublev.
Dusan held at 30 in game five for 4-1 and landed a service winner two games later to forge a 5-2 advantage.
There were no chances for the returners since that break Andrey experienced, and he reduced the deficit to 5-3 with a hold at love. Lajovic served for the opener at 5-3 and fired a forehand crosscourt winner to wrap it up in 39 minutes.
The second set saw a couple of tight games and lasted for an hour. Rublev produced two fine holds and grabbed a break in the second game to forge a 3-0 advantage. The Russian squandered game points at 3-1 to drop serve after the Serb's forced error.
They both served well in the next games, and Dusan served to stay in the set at 4-5. Andrey earned a set point and seized it after the rival's mistake to deliver a late break and introduce a decider after an hour and 40 minutes.
Lajovic made a fresh start in the final set and grabbed a break at love at 1-1 after Rublev's terrible drive forehand. Andrey smashed his racquet and experienced another break two games later, falling 4-1 behind and further away from the title.
Lajovic served for the title at 5-2 and got broken to keep the rival in contention. Andrey reduced the deficit to 5-4 and saved a couple of match points on the return in the next one. Dusan stayed calm and seized the third with a forehand crosscourt winner to emerge at the top and celebrate the title.