Andrey Rublev defeats Ivo Karlovic in the Croatian's final career match

Andrey Rublev took on qualifier Ivo Karlovic and defeated him 6-3 7-6(3) 6-3 in the final match of his career.

The great career of Ivo Karlovic is over with the Croatian announcing earlier in the year that the US Open would be his final event. After playing very good tennis in the qualification round Karlovic reached the main draw to bid farewell to tennis in front of fans.

Andrey Rublev was the man across the net and very early in the match he found ways to overpower Karlovic from the baseline. Fittingly the 42-year-old looked to shorten points and Rublev was ready for that standing away from the baseline and bombarding away. It worked early as Rublev won't the opening set rather easily 6-3.

Karlovic would step up his game in the 2nd set forcing Rublev to play a tiebreak as the Russian could not quite find a way to break the serve of Karlovic. Even so, Rublev proved better in the tiebreak winning 7-3. The final set opened with a quick 3-0 lead for Rublev.

After that, the players traded games before the match ended with 6-3 in the final set. A fitting end for Karlovic who finishes his career after 21 years on the tour. For Rublev a good start to the US Open and key to avoid going 4 or 5 sets.