Andrey Rublev holds the trophy during the awarding ceremony for the men's singles final at Hong Kong Open 2024 tennis tournament in Hong Kong, South China, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
HONG KONG - World No 5 Andrey Rublev beat Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland 6-4, 6-4 to win the 2024 Hong Kong Open title, the 15th overall in his career, at a sold-out Victoria Park Tennis Stadium on Sunday.
As Hong Kong marked its return to ATP Tennis tournament action for the first time since 2002, the Russian grabbed his first laurel in nearly two seasons in one of the quickest matches of the week to start his 2024 season in dominant fashion.
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"To win the title is something special. I couldn't have had a better week, so I'm really happy", said Rublev after the final.
"With a full happy feeling I go to Melbourne now and I will enjoy one week of practice there and then we start the Australian Open. I am happy with the way I was performing all the week and with the level that I showed", said Rublev, who has delighted the fans this week with his outgoing demeanor and a sufficient supply of autographs and selfies.
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In the earlier doubles final, Marcel Arevalo of El Salvador and Croatia's Mate Pavic dispatched top seeds Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen of Belgium in straight sets in their first tournament as a pair.
Andrey Rublev hits a return during the men's singles final between Andrey Rublev of Russia and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland at Hong Kong Open 2024 tennis tournament in Hong Kong, South China, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Emil Ruusuvuori hits a return during the men's singles final between Andrey Rublev of Russia and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland at Hong Kong Open 2024 tennis tournament in Hong Kong, South China, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Andrey Rublev hits a return during the men's singles final between Andrey Rublev of Russia and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland at Hong Kong Open 2024 tennis tournament in Hong Kong, South China, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Emil Ruusuvuori hits a return during the men's singles final between Andrey Rublev of Russia and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland at Hong Kong Open 2024 tennis tournament in Hong Kong, South China, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Andrey Rublev celebrates winning the men's singles final between Andrey Rublev of Russia and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland at Hong Kong Open 2024 tennis tournament in Hong Kong, South China, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Andrey Rublev signs an autograph for a fan after the men's singles final between Andrey Rublev of Russia and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland at Hong Kong Open 2024 tennis tournament in Hong Kong, South China, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Andrey Rublev serves during the men's singles final between Andrey Rublev of Russia and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland at Hong Kong Open 2024 tennis tournament in Hong Kong, South China, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
