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By Chris Oddo | Sunday July 23, 2017

 
Andrey Rublev

Andrey Rublev rolled to a straight-sets victory over Paolo Lorenzi Umag.

The youngest player in the Croatian Open draw met the oldest in Sunday’s final and youth was served. 19-year-old Russian Andrey Rublev defeated 35-year-old Paolo Lorenzi of Italy, 6-4, 6-2, to claim his maiden ATP title and ensure himself a spot in the ATP’s top 50 for the first time in Monday’s rankings.

Photos: Agnieszka Radwanska Marries Dawid Celt

Rublev, who was defeated in the final round of qualifying before taking his place in the draw as a lucky loser, is the first lucky loser to win an ATP title since 2009.

“It’s amazing. I have no words to explain it, especially after this tough week,” said Rublev. “Now I’m here and it’s amazing.”


The Russian has been on the radar since the beginning of 2016, but Rublev didn’t crack the Top 100 until this summer. He reached his first ATP quarterfinal in Halle and won his first Wimbledon main draw match after qualifying at SW19.

Rublev only dropped one set in five rounds and notched his second Top 30 win of the summer when he defeated defending champion Fabio Fognini in the quarterfinals.

Rublev, who turns 20 this October, is set to become the highest-ranked teenager on the ATP Tour on Monday. That spot is currently held by American Frances Tiafoe, who came in at No.62 this week.

 

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