For the 30th edition of the Open 13, Rublev, 24 years old and 7th player in the world, therefore succeeds Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, respectively crowned in 2021 and the two previous years.

Very open on paper between two of the rising figures of the circuit, the final, sometimes disjointed, turned in favor of Rublev, more constant and a little more aggressive at certain key moments.

"It's always been great battles with Felix since our first game in 2018. He's playing some of the best tennis on the circuit right now, he's on top," explained Rublev after the match.

In fact, Auger-Aliassime (21 years old, 9th in the ATP ranking) had just won his first title last week in Rotterdam, with a success over Rublev in the semi-finals in passing, and therefore did not go far from a double.

"I have just had two great weeks. I will continue and I hope to win several more (titles)," the Canadian said during the awards ceremony.

perfect tie break

This is the second lost Open 13 final for the Canadian after that of 2020 against Tsitsipas and he has now lost nine out of 10 finals played.

Russian Andrey Rublev against Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime, February 20, 2022 in the final of the Marseille Nicolas TUCAT tournament AFP

After a defeat in the 3rd round at the Australian Open and then his semi-final in Rotterdam, Rublev is on the rise with this title, the first for almost a year and the one won in Rotterdam.

In the first set, it was Auger-Aliassime who broke first, but he made too many unforced errors to maintain his advantage.

Rublev came back and in turn made the break at 6-5 by being very aggressive.

He then concluded (7-5) on his service.

In the second set, Auger-Aliassime, obviously tired, was then broken twice but came back each time.

But Rublev then delivered a perfect tiebreak to win the title.

Young Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime against Andrey Rublev in Marseille, February 20, 2022 Nicolas TUCAT AFP

"At 5-4, he started to play very well again and I was afraid to go to the third set again", admitted the Russian, who each time needed three sets to win during his first three games, won against the French Richard Gasquet, Lucas Pouille and Benjamin Bonzi.

© 2022 AFP