2020 in Review: Andrey Rublev storms over Lloyd Harris for seccond title in two weeks

Andrey Rublev couldn't compete for Russia at the ATP Cup, wasting no time and conquering two ATP 250 titles for a perfect start of the year. Kicking off the season in Doha, Andrey claimed the trophy and made a trip to Adelaide, seeking the second crowd in as many weeks. Battling past Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semis, the Russian advanced into the title match and took down a qualifier and the first-time finalist Lloyd Harris 6-3, 6-0 in 56 minutes for another impressive week ahead of the first Major of the season in Melbourne. Rublev saved enough energy for the final, dominating over his coeval to claim the fourth ATP title. Lloyd's primary weapons were not there at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre on that day, firing eight aces but dropping over half of the points behind the initial shot, suffering four breaks and wasting all four chances on the return to claim just three games. Andrey tamed his strokes nicely, winning 24 points more than his opponent and forcing 20 mistakes from Harris.

As a result suggests, Rublev had the upper hand in the shortest and more extended exchanges, controlling the pace and storming over the opponent to secure the title in no time. Lloyd made a promising start, delivering two comfortable holds in games two and four and earning a break chance at 2-2. Rublev saved it with a solid lob that the South African failed to control before Lloyd wasted game points a few minutes later and sprayed a forehand mistake to find himself 4-2 down. Serving in game seven, the Russian had to work hard to repel three break points, hitting four winners in the next five points to get out of jail and remain in front.

Andrey Rublev won the second title of the season in Adelaide.

Andrey closed the set with three winners at 5-3, forging the advantage in 33 minutes and hoping for more of the same in the rest of the encounter. There was only one player on the court in set number two, as Rublev grabbed 24 out of 32 points to storm over the finish line in style. Lloyd netted a forehand in the first game, spraying another mistake in the next one to push Andrey 2-0 up and drift further away from the favorable result. Playing better and better, Rublev landed a forehand down the line winner to secure another break and gain a 3-0 advantage, delivering a hold with a service winner a few minutes later and another break that sent him 5-0 up. Serving for the title, Andrey produced a comfortable hold to wrap up the victory and celebrate the second crown in as many weeks, gathering a boost ahead of the first Major of the season in Melbourne.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2VFn22D