Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands showcased remarkable resilience as he triumphed over world number 18 Andrey Rublev in the Dubai semifinal, winning in straight sets with scores of 7-5, 7-6 (6). Despite suffering a hamstring injury during the match, Griekspoor’s determination carried him through to victory, marking a significant achievement in his career as he aims for his first ATP Tour title since Mallorca in 2025.
Rublev, who entered the semifinal following a strong performance against three French players—Valentin Royer, Ugo Humbert, and Arthur Rinderknech—was a tough opponent. The semifinal was his fifth appearance in this stage in Dubai, adding to his impressive track record.
Both players started the match with solid serves, but Rublev put the Dutchman under pressure in the ninth game. However, Griekspoor countered effectively, firing four consecutive aces to turn the tables. In a tense moment in the 11th game, Griekspoor faced his first break point while indicating discomfort with his hamstring. After a brief medical time-out, he managed to secure the first set with ten aces.
Griekspoor received additional treatment during the set break, but Rublev came out strong in the second set, applying pressure and reaching three break points at the outset. Nevertheless, Griekspoor defended brilliantly, showcasing his fighting spirit despite his physical limitations. The second set progressed to a nail-biting tiebreak, where Griekspoor, turning the tide after a shaky start, capitalized on his momentum to clinch the match.
With this victory, Griekspoor sets up a final clash against Daniil Medvedev, the third seed, who defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in his semifinal match. This final presents an exciting challenge for Griekspoor, who is eager to seize the opportunity for a title.
As Tallon Griekspoor continues to recover from the challenges of the past season, his impressive performance in Dubai reflects not only his skill but also his determination to return to the top of the ATP rankings. Fans eagerly anticipate what he will bring to the final against Medvedev.