Andrey Rublev defeats Novak Djokovic in the final Serbia Open in Belgrade
Faced with a partisan home crowd, world number eight Rublev dominated the deciding set to win 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 6-0. Djokovic was visibly fatigued in the decider in the first final in a disrupted season for the Serb.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz reaffirmed his status as one of the world's rising stars by winning the Barcelona Open.
The 18-year-old Spaniard, already set to break into the world's top 10 next week, beat compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3 6-2 to clinch his third title of the season.
The title for Russian Rublev, 24 - also his third of the year - brought his first victory over Djokovic in his career.
Djokovic, 34, had only won two matches in 2022 going into the clay-court event in Belgrade but showed his trademark grit to force a decider for the fourth match in a row.
However, Rublev crucially saved two break points in the third set’s opening game and from there dominated as his opponent struggled physically.
Djokovic's season started with his deportation from Australia in January , which meant he missed the Australian Open.
He returned at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February but went out in the quarter-finals and then missed the US hard court swing, again because of his vaccination status. On his return to the tour, he suffered a shock defeat by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters.
When 5-0 down in the decider against Rublev, Djokovic sat in his chair with his head in his towel as the home crowd loudly chanted his name.
But Rublev clinched the match with a forehand return winner - a shot Djokovic did not attempt to chase down - in the following game.
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