HAMBURG, Germany — Italy’s Flavio Koboli won the biggest title of his career when he pissed off the third seed to win the Hamburg Open on Saturday.
Ranked 35th in the world, Cobolli only had the ATP 250 title, which won the Romanian Open last month, but the 23-year-old has two clay court titles after beating Rublev in the final of the ATP 500 event.
He is the third player to win multiple titles on the ATP Tour after this year’s Carlos Alcaraz (3) and Felix Auger-Aliasime (2).
“I think it’s certainly the best moment and match of my life. I played incredibly today so I have to say sorry to Andrei. I’m so happy and proud of myself,” Koboli said.
“Family, friends, siblings and girlfriends can meet here. It’s a surprise. I’m really happy. I’ve passed a lot of fights this year. This kind of day is good for your heart.
After Cobolli won the opening set with convincingness, Rublev went 3-2 for the second time, but the momentum changed after a 31-shot rally where the Russians tried to run Cobolli at most points.
Koboli fired the burnt forehand winner to score points, turning the table as the Italians placed their hands on their ears and roared the crowd.
Rublev never recovered and had scored seven breakpoints in the contest, but Cobolli saved six.
The Italians closed the match in an hour and 28 minutes, all four breakpoints.
However, he doesn’t have time to rest as he wants to see a match against former Grand Slam champion Marine Silick in the first round of the French Open, which begins on Sunday.