Seeking his best form after his Monte Carlo entrance loss to Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich, the Serbian was betrayed by his physical condition in the final set.
"Nole", who was only in his third tournament of the season, was measuring himself for the first time against a player in the top 10. He was able to see the work that remains to be done to return to the level.
As in his three previous meetings on his land in Belgrade, against his compatriots Lazlo Djere (N.50) and Miomir Kecmanovic (N.38) then against the Russian Karen Khachanov (N.26), Djokovic started the game badly , giving up his serve twice and letting the first set slip away after more than thirty minutes of play.
The joy of Russian Andrey Rublev, after winning the final of the clay court tournament in Belgrade by beating world number one Novak Djokovic (6-2, 6-7 (4/6), 6-0), April 24, 2022 Pedja MILOSAVLJEVIC AFP
Carried by more than 8,000 supporters, it picked up the score after a second marathon run of more than an hour.
But having drawn on his last reserves to win the decisive game after wasting six set points at 5-4 and 6-5, he had no energy left for the last round.
World number one Novak Djokovic, during his defeat (6-2, 6-7 (4/6), 6-0) against Russian Andrey Rublev, in the final of the clay court tournament in Belgrade, April 24, 2022 Pedja MILOSAVLJEVIC AFP
By reaching the final of the tournament in his hometown, he has given some color to his 2022 record (now five wins for three losses), but he still has a lot to do in view of Roland-Garros (May 22 - June 5 ).
© 2022 AFP