Assured Rublev begins the year with trophy in Hong Kong

Russian Andrey Rublev, the top seed, lifted the Hong Kong Open trophy by defeating Finn Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4, 6-4 at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium on Sunday night.

The victory is Rublev’s 15th career title, with the Russian having reached a career high world No 5 last year off the back of his first Masters 1000 title.

“It’s a magic feeling. To win a title is always a feeling that you’re addicted to,” said a happy Rublev after his win in Hong Kong.

Rublev happy with level, ready for Melbourne

“I think I played a great level all the week,” Rublev continued in his post-match comments. “I’m happy with the way I was performing and the level I showed.”

The Russian was brilliant on serve in the Hong Kong final, making 69 per cent of first serves and winning 74 per cent of service points overall. He also made only six unforced errors across the match, striking 13 winners.

“To start the season with a title is something special,” declared the 15-time ATP titlist. “With a full, happy feeling I go to Melbourne.”

In the previous rounds of the Hong Kong tournament, Rublev, ranked No 5, beat qualifier Liam Broady (6-4, 7-6 (8)), Frenchman Arthur Fils, the No 8 seed (6-4, 1-6, 6-2) and Chinese wildcard Juncheng Shang (4-6, 6-2, 6-3).

Ruusuvuori, ranked No 69, defeated Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi (6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-1), Russian Karen Khachanov, the second seed (7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-2), Russian Pavel Kotov (6-3, 7-6 (4)) and Austrian Sebastian Ofner (4-6, 7-5, 6-3) earlier in the tournament.

Read also

Hong Kong Open: Rublev saves 13 break points en route to final

Tennis Majors