Fifth seed Andrey Rublev and world No. 30 Arthur Fils staged major comebacks en route to the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell championship match on Saturday.
The Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 73rd Trofeo Conde de Godo will feature a high-caliber title match between world No. 15 Andrey Rublev and ninth seed Arthur Fils, who will battle for the crown on Sunday at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.
Off the back of a flawless campaign on Spanish soil, former world No. 5 Rublev rallied from a set down to overpower Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, advancing into his maiden final of the season.
The 28-year-old, who on his way to the title match did not drop a set, weathered the Medjedovic storm, showcasing grit and power to surge to his 12th career final at the ATP 500 level just shy of two hours on Saturday.
βAfter the first set, I told myself I had to keep fighting, because if I had chances in the first, I would have them in the second,β Rublev said after the edgy contest.
βI only had one opportunity at the start of the second set, and taking it gave me confidence. Little by little, I was able to win."
Despite falling in the semifinals, the 22-year-old Serbian leaves Barcelona with his head up high, having built an impressive campaign from qualifying, which saw him claim his biggest career win by ranking over world No. 7 Alex de Minaur.
Action came to a close in style on Rafa Nadal court on Saturday with a gruelling duel courtesy of the last Spaniard standing, wild card Rafael Jodar, and former world No. 14, Fils, in their first meeting on Tour.
The 21-year-old conceded the first set to the Spaniard, but once he found his rhythm, he pushed his opponent to the edge, prevailing 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to become the first French finalist at the tournament since 1985.
In his on-court interview, the world No. 30 commented: βOn the TV, I donβt think you can see how hard he [Jodar] is hitting. The ball is flying and coming very fast.
"It took me one set to get used to his quality, and then after I felt better, I finished very strong. But he is going to be a pain in the a*** to play.β
For his part, Jodar, 19, ranked outside the world's Top 600 a year ago, continues to impress with a solid rise in his first season as a professional tennis player, and is set to break into the Top 50 on Monday.
Playing his first career semifinal at the ATP 500 level, he did not disappoint the fans, making the most of his all-around game to challenge the relentless Frenchman who applauded the teenager as he walked off the court.
The Madrid native's all-around game helped him achieve his maiden trophy on Tour in Marrakech two weeks ago.
A run that the 2024 US Open junior champion backed up on home soil, delivering high-quality performances all week over experienced players, such as the likes of former Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie.
With the victory, Fils joined the 100th tour-level win club, bidding to earn his third clay-court title on Sunday.
Rublev and Fils are tied 1-1 in their series; their most recent meeting dates back to a year ago in Monte-Carlo, where the latter beat the Moscow-born in straight sets.