Russia’s Andrey Rublev bested Austria’s Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday to qualify for the Gijon Open final. Rublev was able to take a 5-1 lead in the first set but squandered his chance to finish off the set. Thiem was able to bounce back but Rublev held his nerves at the crucial stages to claim the first set.

The 24-year-old from Moscow was delighted with the way he played as he brought his best to the court. The top seed at the tournament attacked Thiem’s serve with great success and he was able to make it to the final.

“When I was winning 4-1 with a breakpoint for 5-1 it looks like the match is going my way and then I am at 5-4 with him serving,” Rublev said as quoted by ATP Tour. “That’s not easy to accept, but I was lucky I played a really good game and Dominic helped me out a little bit. 

“Then I felt more confident and I was able to win in two sets, which was the most important thing. This week I have been playing really well and I’ll try to show my best tennis of the week tomorrow.”

Rublev has won three titles in the ongoing season at Belgrade, Dubai, and Marseille and he will be looking to clinch his fourth in 2022

The young Russian will take on America’s Sebastian Korda in the final on Sunday. Korda defeated France’s Arthur Rinderknech in the semifinal by 7-6(2), 6-3.

“It was a really good match that came down to a couple of games here and there. I’ve very, very happy and excited for tomorrow,” Korda said. “It’s going to be very difficult, but I’m ready to go.”