Rublev defaulted in Dubai semi-final after ranting in official’s face; Bublik into final

Andrey Rublev was defaulted in the semi-finals of the Dubai Open on Friday, handing Alexander Bublik a path into the final.

The Russian lost his cool at the end of the 11th game of the third set, ranting in the face of a linesman whom he felt had missed a vital call on his baseline. Bublik was leading 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-5 at the time.

A different official – who said he was a Russian speaker – then spoke to the umpire, who called the supervisor. The supervisor then informed Rublev that the official had heard him say something offensive.

Rublev denied the accusation and asked for the supervisor to consult video of the incident but he was told he would be defaulted.

Bublik, who had trailed 4-2 in the deciding set, will play either Daniil Medvedev or Ugo Humbert in the final.

Rublev lets slip commanding lead

Rublev’s tempter boiled over at the end of the match in large part because he had missed countless chances to put the contest to bed.

After overturning an early break to win the first set on the tiebreak, he did the same thing in the second set and led 5-3 in the tiebreak only for Bublik to win four straight points to level.

The Russian then gathered himself to break in the first game on his way to a 4-2 lead. He had seven chances to get a second break but Bublik held from 0-40 and then broke back again to get to 4-4. In the 11th game, Rublev was incensed about a linecall that went against him and stood inches away from the linesman, shouting in his face.

It was another linesman, a Russian speaker, who told the umpire and then the supervisor what he had heard and despite Rublev’s protests, he was handed a default. He’ll set to lose all his prize money and ranking points from the week.

Players react to Rublev default

Bublik, who had offered to carry on the match even after the default, said he did not think Rublev would have said something offensive.

“I highly doubt Andrey said something crazy, he’s not this kind of guy,” Bublik told a press conference. “But I guess that’s the rules, they just followed the procedure. It’s a pity it ended up like this. I wish Andrey to get back on track as soon as possible.”

The incident caused an immediate stir on social media, with the exact manner of the default called into question.

Fellow Russian Daria Kasatkina said it was another example why all tournaments should have the use of video replays and Hawk-Eye live (Dubai is due to switch to Hawk-Eye live in 2025).

Frenchman Adrian Mannarino said the linesman should not be running to the umpire to report swearing.

Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina also declared the decision “very unfair” towards Rublev.

While Nick Kyrgios applauded Bublik’s offer to continue the match, and said he didn’t believe the incident warranted a default.

And Coco Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert – the former coach of Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick – said this incident proves that it’s time to make the best use of technology.

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