Nikoloz Basilashvili has taken the spoils in the Hamburg Open for a second straight year after defeating Andrey Rublev.
The Georgian world number 16 became the first player to win back to back titles at the venue since Roger Federer in 2005 after sealing his three-set win over the Russian. He won the match 7-5 4-6 6-3 and was in excellent form throughout, scoring 26 forehand winners on the way to the title.
He put Rublev’s serve under severe pressure in the first and third sets and was able to convert four of his 15 break points, as he has now won 12 consecutive matches in Hamburg.
The 27-year-old beat French trio Benoit Paire, Richard Gasquet, and Jeremy Chardy before taking on world number five Alexander Zverev in the semi-final, where he fended off two match points on his way to victory.
It was the third ATP Tour 500 title in his career following a hard-court win in China last October.
