Griekspoor Triumphs Over Rublev Despite Injury in Dubai Semifinals
An Impressive Tournament Progression
In an impressive display of resilience and skill, Dutch tennis player Tallon Griekspoor defeated world number 18 Andrey Rublev in the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships, claiming victory in straight sets with scores of 7-5, 7-6 (6). This match showcased Griekspoor’s determination as he navigated through a challenging mid-match hamstring injury.
Rublev had reached the semifinals in Dubai for the fifth time in his career, powered by a series of victories over French players Valentin Royer, Ugo Humbert, and Arthur Rinderknech. His strong performance established him as a formidable competitor going into the match against Griekspoor.
Griekspoor Bouncing Back
Tallon Griekspoor’s road to the semifinals has been a recovery narrative. After a disappointing end to the previous season, he has shown remarkable form recently, having progressed to the quarterfinals of the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam just two weeks prior. In Dubai, he successfully overcame opponents Alexander Bublik and Jakub Mensik before facing Rublev.
Match Dynamics
Both players entered the match with a strong focus on their service games, exhibiting impressive skills right from the start. Neither Griekspoor nor Rublev offered up a break point until the ninth game. Here, Rublev applied pressure, but Griekspoor responded with an astonishing four consecutive aces, allowing him to navigate past a 30-0 disadvantage and secure the game.
As the match progressed, Rublev continued to press Griekspoor, earning the first break point in the 11th game. Although Griekspoor erased this threat, he swiftly returned the favor with a double fault, indicating potential discomfort. However, he ultimately found his rhythm and secured the game, firing off his tenth and eleventh aces.
Overcoming Adversity
Following a brief medical timeout, Griekspoor turned the tides, forcing his first break point and converting it to clinch the first set 7-5. Despite receiving further treatment for his hamstring during the intermission, he quickly found himself defending against Rublev as he fought off three break points to start the second set. The Dutchman displayed remarkable tenacity and power, coming back from 40-0 down using more aces to keep his hopes alive.
In the second set, Rublev showcased his serving strength, achieving a remarkable 100% success rate on 24 first serves, maintaining a solid 80% first-serve percentage. Despite this dominance, he was unable to break Griekspoor’s serve as they moved into a tiebreak.
Tiebreak Tensions
In the tiebreak, Rublev made an aggressive start with an early mini-break, giving him the advantage. He even earned set points but was unable to capitalize on them. In a stunning turn, Griekspoor executed a crucial return that shifted the momentum of the match. The injured Dutchman exhibited incredible poise and ultimately triumphed in the crucial moments, securing his place in the ATP Tour final.
Looking Forward
With this victory, Griekspoor moves on to face third seed Daniil Medvedev in the final, who defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets in the semifinals. Griekspoor’s performance in Dubai highlights his resilience and readiness to compete against top-tier talent as he aims for his first ATP title since Mallorca 2025.
The Dubai Tennis Championships continue to deliver thrilling matchups, and Griekspoor’s underdog victory over Rublev will be one to remember as he heads into the final.
