Tallon Griekspoor advanced to the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Friday, overcoming a significant injury and a determined Andrey Rublev in a 7-5, 7-6(6) victory. The Dutchman’s path to the final included earlier wins against Alexander Bublik and Jakub Mensik, but his semi-final clash with the fifth-seeded Rublev proved to be his most challenging test yet.
The match was characterized by strong serving from both players, with neither facing a break point until late in the first set. Griekspoor capitalized on his opportunity at 6-5, securing a break to claim the opener 7-5, shortly after receiving medical attention for a hamstring issue. The injury cast doubt on his ability to continue the match.
The second set saw Rublev elevate his game, winning 92% of his first-serve points and maintaining a staunch defense. He appeared on the verge of forcing a deciding set, earning two set points at 6-4 in the tiebreak. However, Griekspoor mounted a remarkable comeback, winning four consecutive points to secure the set 8-6 and the match.
Following the contest, an exhausted Griekspoor admitted his physical condition was precarious. “I could barely walk,” he said, adding he was unsure if he could have continued had the match extended to a third set.
Griekspoor will now face Daniil Medvedev in the final, seeking the title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The tournament, which saw Rublev as a former champion in 2022 and Griekspoor as a semifinalist in 2025, sets the stage for a compelling showdown between the two players.
