Andrey Rublev takes Serbia Open title after tough three-set battle with Novak Djokovic in Belgrade

Andrey Rublev won the Serbia Open title after defeating Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-7, 6-0 in Belgrade. The encounter had been a close-run thing until the final set, when Djokovic's efforts to get back on terms in the second set — and his long week in Belgrade involving four three-set matches in a row — took their toll.

Ad/> Nonetheless Djokovic will likely see the event as a positive stepping stone in his quest to build up his fitness and sharpness since returning to the ATP Tour in Monte Carlo. /> ATP BelgradeHighlights: Djokovic closes in on third Serbia Open title after win over KhachanovYESTERDAY AT 15:02 Whether it was the Djokovic serve lacking its customary reliability and bite or Rublev's return game being on point, that was where the match was won and lost with Rublev taking six of his 12 break point chances, with Djokovic only able to break the Rublev serve once from his nine opportunities.

Swiatek wins fourth straight title in Stuttgart, takes home a Porsche 'Everyone is against the war' — Mouratoglou 'shocked' by ban for Russian and Belarusian players It was therefore credit to Djokovic that after falling behind he was still able to find a route back into the match, but he was unable to respond in the third set as Rublev stepped up a gear. For Rublev, it represented his first-ever win over Djokovic and the third title of an impressive 2022 so far, having won in Marseille and Dubai.

/> Next on the horizon for both players will be the Madrid Open, the penultimate clay-court Masters event before Roland Garros. — — - Watch the French Open live on Eurosport and discovery+.