"Pleasure to share the court with him" says Rublev after overcoming Auger-Aliassime in Marseille final

Andrey Rublev returned to the winners’ circle on Sunday, overcoming Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 7-6(4) in the Open 13 Provence final to lift his first ATP Tour trophy since March 2021.

It was a long wait for Rublev but the Russian was able to get the job done against a very solid Auger-Aliassime who did seem a bit fatigued in that final. It's been the 2nd consecutive final for the Canadian and ultimately he found himself beaten by a player who simply played a bit better that day. After the match Rublev said:

"All the battles I have had with Felix since the first time back in 2018 have had drama. All have had at least one set that went 7-6 and now he is one of the greatest players. Especially this season, he is on top now. It was a pleasure to share a court with him and have an amazing final like this.”

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Rublev was pretty honest explaining that he had to raise his level significantly against Auger-Aliassime to have a chance:

"I had to increase my level otherwise I would have had no chance against Felix. From 5-4 he started to play even better and I was thinking it would go to three sets. But somehow I was able to raise my level and in the end it was tough.”