Andrey Rublev beats Grigor Dimitrov to advance to Shanghai Masters final

SHANGHAI – Andrey Rublev, ranked seventh in the world, expressed his mixed emotions after securing a spot in the final of the Shanghai Masters with a 7-6 (7), 6-3 victory over Grigor Dimitrov on Saturday.

“It can be challenging to face friends on the court because you experience conflicting emotions,” Rublev shared. “You feel sad, but at the same time, the desire to win is strong.”

Rublev, seeded fifth in the tournament, has showcased an impressive performance this week without dropping a set. However, in the semifinals, the 18th-seeded Bulgarian pushed him to his limits with an intense first set. Rublev fought hard and managed to save a set point before eventually claiming the 76-minute set in a tiebreaker.

In the second set, the Russian player made a remarkable comeback after being down 2-0, winning six out of the last seven games to secure a spot in his fourth Masters final. He will face Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday in what promises to be an exciting match.

Meanwhile, Hurkacz secured his spot in the final by dominating Sebastian Korda with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

As the 17th-ranked Polish player, Hurkacz demonstrated exceptional skills on his serve, facing no break points. With 14 aces and relentless pressure on Korda, Hurkacz took crucial breaks in each set, preventing his American opponent from finding his rhythm and sealing the win.

“I focus on being a challenging opponent,” explained Hurkacz. “Every game is a battle against an opponent who is determined to execute their strategies. To succeed, I must remain mentally strong.”