Rublev stays mentally strong, rallies to beat Rune for 1st Monte Carlo Masters title

Andrey Rublev rallied from 4-1 down in the final set to beat Holger Rune 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 in the Monte Carlo Masters final on Sunday for the first Masters title of his career.

The fifth-seeded Russian clinched victory on his second match point with an ace, stood still for a moment to check if the ball was in and then lay on his back for several moments to savor the moment. The sixth-seeded Rune climbed over the net to go over and congratulate him.

"I don't know what to say. Losing 4-1, 0-30, saving break points. Somehow I did it," the 25-year-old Rublev said. "I was deep inside hoping [that] at least I would have one chance."

Rune missed a golden chance to clinch a second Masters title after beating Novak Djokovic with a stunning comeback at the Paris Masters last November.

This time it was the opposite.

The 19-year-old Dane let the match slip and lost his nerve in the 11th game of the decider, hitting two balls out of the court in frustration.

"I was definitely in control in the third set … didn't manage to close it out," Rune said. "Just got to see what I did wrong, what I can do better, and move on, because, you know, the most important tournament of the clay season is the French Open."

The crowd jeered him, and he sarcastically encouraged them to do so. But Rune double-faulted to give his opponent the chance to serve for victory and Rublev sealed a 14th career title.

Rublev had lost his two previous Masters finals -- at Monte Carlo and Cincinnati in 2021 -- but stayed focused.

"I remember the previous finals I was not mentally ready and, when I was losing, I was thinking no chance to win anymore, and I was mentally going completely down," Rublev said. "Today I was like 'OK, if you lose today at least please believe