Russia's Andrey Rublev has cruised to the Dubai Tennis Championship title with a 6-3 6-4 final victory to end the dream run of Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely.
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Having made headlines after his semi-final triumph over Hubert Hurkacz by writing "no war please" on a television camera in protest at Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Rublev wrapped up his third title in just a matter of days in emphatic fashion on Saturday.
He had won both the singles and doubles titles at the Open 13 Provence in Marseille last week.
The Russian world No.7 had needed three sets in each of his last three contests but wrapped up a more straightforward victory against Vesely, the conqueror of 20-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic en route to the final.
Rublev broke Vesely's serve in the fourth game of the contest and didn't drop a single point behind his first serve as he roared to a 6-3 win in the opening set.
The 24-year-old then broke again in the opening game of the second set, before the Czech, ranked number 123 in the world, battled back bravely to level the set at 3-3.
Rublev responded in brutal fashion, however, immediately breaking again and going on to seal a comfortable victory, hitting just eight unforced errors throughout the contest, as he claimed his 10th career title.
The victory made it 13 match wins in a row for Rublev across singles and doubles after his successful time in Marseille, where he successfully teamed up with Ukrainian Denys Molchanov for a symbolic doubles triumph.
"I was lucky today, and that's why I am happy to be the champion, I didn't expect this," said Rublev. "It's an amazing feeling."
Australian Associated Press
