Flavio Cobolli upset Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in the final of the Bitpanda Hamburg Open, an ATP 500 tournament, to win the biggest title of his career.
Cobolli has claimed the second trophy of his career on clay following his trophy at the ATP 250 tournament in Bucharest.
Cobolli has become just the third player to win multiple titles on the ATP Tour after Carlos Alcaraz (three) and Felix Auger Aliassime (two). The 23-year-old player will rise to a career-high 26th on the ATP Ranking.
Cobolli broke twice in the first and third games of the opening set to race out to race out to a 4-0 lead. Rublev pulled one break back in the sixth game to reduce the gap to 2-4. Cobolli earned his third break in the seventh game to open up a 5-2 lead and served out the first set 6-2 with three service winners.
Rublev went up 3-2 40-15 with a return winner. Cobolli saved three break points to hold serve for 3-3 before earning the decisive break in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Cobolli held serve in the eighth game for 5-3. Cobolli fended off two break points in the 10th game, when he was serving for the match at 5-4.
“I think it is the best moment and match of my life for sure. I have to say sorry to Andrey because today I played unbelievable. I am so happy and proud of myself. I can see my family, friends, brother and girlfriend here and it is a surprise. I am really happy. I passed many battles this year and this kind of day is good for your mind. I am so happy. I just want to [lift] the trophy”, said Cobolli.
