Russia's Andrey Rublev will face Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely in Saturday’s final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The number two seed claimed a tense 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 victory over Hubert Hurkacz and Vesely outlasted sixth seed Denis Shapovalov 6-7, 7-6, 7-6.
Rublev wrote “No War Please” on a TV camera moments after advancing to the final at the Dubai Championships on Friday.
Rublev had just beaten Hurkacz when he wrote his message on the camera, as is common after matches.
Rublev will face Czech qualifier Vesely for the first time in the Dubai final on Saturday.
Vesely, who knocked out Novak Djokovic in the quarterf-inals, followed with another top-20 win when he outlasted Denis Shapovalov in more than three hours.
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Russia's Andrey Rublev returns the ball to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz during their semi-final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship on Friday, February 25, 2022. AP Photo -
Andrey Rublev serves to Hubert Hurkacz. AP Photo -
Russia's Andrey Rublev celebrates after defeating Poland's Hubert Hurkacz to reach the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship final. AFP -
Andrey Rublev of Russia shake hands with Hubert Hurkacz of Poland after their match. EPA -
Andrey Rublev of Russia celebrates. EPA -
Russia's Andrey Rublev serves the ball to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. AFP -
Andrey Rublev of Russia in action. EPA
“I’m having a dream run here,” Vesely said.
Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: "We could not have wished for two better semi-finals.”
"It is a pity that someone had to lose as all four deserved their place in the final, but we congratulate Andrey Rublev and Jiri Vesely and look forward to seeing which of them will claim the trophy," he added.
