India, Feb 27 : Andrey Rublev has etched his name into the record books at the Dubai Tennis Championships, joining an elite list previously occupied only by Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
The fifth seed defeated France’s Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 6-4 to book his place in the semifinals, keeping alive his bid for an 18th ATP career title. With that victory, Rublev reached the semifinals in Dubai for the fifth time a milestone achieved by only three players in the tournament’s history.
Djokovic advanced to the last four in Dubai on 10 occasions, while Federer holds the record with 11 semifinal appearances. Rublev’s latest run highlights his remarkable consistency at the hard court event, where he has repeatedly delivered strong performances against top competition.
The 28 year old previously lifted the Dubai title in 2022 and enjoyed a streak of semifinal or better finishes from 2021 through 2024 before suffering an early exit last season. His return to the business end of the tournament this year signals renewed momentum and reinforces his reputation as one of the event’s most dependable contenders.
While comparisons to two of the sport’s most decorated champions remain statistical for now, Rublev’s sustained success in Dubai underlines both his longevity and competitive pedigree. As he pursues a second trophy in the desert, his latest achievement places him firmly in distinguished company.