Joaquin Niemann landed the second PGA Tour victory of his career by winning the Genesis Invitational title in California on Sunday.
The Chilean rounded off a dominant week at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, closing with a level-par 71 to finish two shots clear of American duo Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young.
After carding successive rounds of 63, Saturday's 68 gave Niemann a three-stroke lead heading into the final day.
The 23-year-old's total of 194 across the opening 54 holes set a new record, and by closing out the win on 19 under par he became the first wire-to-wire winner of the event since Charlie Sifford in 1969.
Niemann said on CBS: "This weekend, it took me forever. It felt like a month. I'm so happy it's finally done. I'm really proud of the way we battled, with my caddie.
"This is amazing and seeing the Chilean flag there makes me more speechless, it's awesome.
"It was such a nice week off the course, in the course. This has got to be one of the toughest courses we ever play in the year.
"I surprised myself with how good I played, and after the first two days I talked to myself and was like, 'All right, we've got to finish this, stay focused', and we did it pretty good, so I'm pretty happy."
As two-time major winner Morikawa clawed his way into contention with an impressive round of 65 – including a stunning eagle at the 10th – Niemann made a solid start until bogeying the seventh.
However, the world number 32 responded immediately, with a tremendous approach on the following hole paving the way for a birdie that put him back on track.
He then chipped in for eagle on the 11th as he edged closer to a first PGA title since triumphing at the Greenbrier Classic in 2019.
Successive bogies on the 14th and 15th set up a potentially nervy finish, but Niemann maintained his composure to seal victory.
A timely eagle on the final hole saw former Masters champion Adam Scott finish tied for fourth with Norway's Viktor Hovland, who was one under for the day.
Rory McIlroy declared the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway Super Golf League "dead in the water" as he accused Phil Mickelson of making "selfish, egotistical, ignorant" remarks.
A number of high-profile players are said to have been targeted by organisers of the lucrative proposal, including Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau.
But the most prominent names to have discussed the league publicly – including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa – had pledged allegiance to the PGA Tour, and Johnson and DeChambeau joined them on Sunday, a significant turn of events.
Mickelson recently gave a remarkable interview to the Fire Pit Collective's Alan Shipnuck, in which the six-time major champion claimed he and several other golfers paid their lawyers to construct the proposed breakaway competition's operating agreement.
As Mickelson put it, the motivation was "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates", claiming Saudi money had provided "leverage" for negotiations.
Mickelson criticised PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, and McIlroy, speaking on Sunday after tying for 10th place at the Genesis Invitational, made clear his disdain for the 51-year-old's comments.
"I don't want to kick someone while he's down obviously, but I thought they were naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant, a lot of words to describe that interaction he had with Shipnuck," McIlroy said.
"It was just very surprising, disappointing, sad, and I'm sure he's sitting at home sort of rethinking his position and where he goes from here."
DeChambeau declared his commitment to the PGA Tour, stating: "While there has been a lot of speculation surrounding my support for another tour, I want to make it very clear that as long as the best players in the world are playing the PGA Tour, so will I."
Johnson also spoke out, saying: "Over the past several months, there has been a great deal of speculation about an alternative tour, much of which seems to have included me and my future in professional golf. I feel it is now time to put such speculation to rest. I am fully committed to the PGA Tour."
Asked if such players supporting the US-based PGA Tour would finish off the Super Golf League venture, McIlroy said: "Yeah, yeah. I mean, who's left? Who's left to go? There's no-one. It's dead in the water in my opinion. I just can't see any reason why anyone would go."
Four-time major winner McIlroy added: "I've always reiterated that I feel like this is the best place to play golf if you're an elite professional golfer."
He praised tour executives and welcomed the comments from DeChambeau and Johnson.
"I was really glad to see DJ and Bryson fill out those statements this week," McIlroy said. "We all want to play against the best players in the world, and they are certainly two of the best players in the world. It's nice to know that they're committed to playing here and committed to making this the best tour in the world."
Teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz made history as he defeated Diego Schwartzman in straight sets to claim the Rio Open title.
The 18-year-old became the youngest winner of an ATP 500 event since the creation of the category in 2009, clinching a 6-4 6-2 victory in one hour and 26 minutes.
Alcaraz, set to climb into the world's top 20 for the first time, captured his second tour-level title after triumphing at last year's Croatia Open.
The Spaniard won five out of six break points, including a crucial one at 4-4 on his way to taking the opening set.
Third seed Schwartzman – champion in Rio in 2018 – was appearing in his second successive final, having reached the showpiece in Buenos Aires last week.
But the Argentinian was unable to compete with the powerful seventh seed on clay, the surface on which Alcaraz could do major damage in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie landed his third ATP Tour title after beating Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-4) in the Delray Beach Open showpiece.
Top seed Norrie had endured a torrid start to the 2022 season, which began for him with four successive defeats.
Meanwhile, Opelka was seeking a second title in as many weeks following his triumph at the Dallas Open.
The American had won six out of six tie-breaks on his way to victory in Dallas, and a further four this week.
But despite the big-serving second seed hitting 25 aces against Norrie, taking his tournament tally to 81, and 46 winners, a total of 33 unforced errors proved costly.
Although he was denied all five opportunities to break as both sets went to a tie-break, Norrie's service game remained solid throughout and just seven unforced errors underlined his strong performance.
Belinda Bencic made a painfully sharp exit from the Qatar Open as she was beaten 6-4 3-6 6-3 by rising star Clara Tauson.
The Olympic champion was the highest-profile casualty on day one, losing to a player making her main-draw debut in a WTA 1000 event.
Only the second Danish player to appear in Doha, after former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, the 19-year-old Tauson came from 4-2 down to take the opening set, before Bencic levelled up.
But Tauson was not to be denied. The world number 33 gained a crucial break in game four of the decider, before winning 12 of the last 13 points on her serve to set up a second-round clash with third seed Paula Badosa.
"It was a very tough match," said Tauson, who hit seven aces. "I know Belinda is playing very well, so I had to play my best today, and I did sometimes.
"I have my confidence, but every match is really tough at this level, so I'm doing my best."
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka survived a scare to scrape past Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva 5-7 6-2 7-5.
The 12th seed, who is aiming to become the first player to lift this trophy three times, recovered from two breaks down in the decide before rescuing match point at 5-4 down and eventually scrambling over the line.
Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Bencic and Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open, built on her early-season momentum by seeing off Beatriz Haddad Maia 7-5 6-4.
Ninth seed Jessie Pegula – a quarter-finalist in the season's opening grand slam – beat doubles world number one Katerina Siniakova in straight sets, while former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin lost in three sets to fellow American Ann Li.
The Jamaica Lawn Bowls Association has selected Robert Simpson and Maureen Caesar to represent Jamaica at the 2022 World Bowls Indoor Championships set for the City & County of Bristol Indoor Bowling Club, Bristol, England from 25-29 April 2022.
Andrey Rublev was crowned champion at the Open 13 Provence after downing Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5 7-6 (7-4) in the final.
Auger-Aliassime defeated Rublev in Rotterdam last week on the way to securing his maiden ATP Tour title, though all of their past meetings had required a deciding set.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime immediately broke Rublev, but the world number seven battled back to eventually claim the first set after a tense 56-minute opening exchange.
The pair twice exchanged breaks in the following set, with Rublev failing to serve out for the match at 5-4 before saving a set point at 5-6 down.
Rublev rallied from that point onwards, however, claiming his ninth tour-level triumph after a second set tie-break.
The Russian will look to become just the third man in the tournament's 30-year history to win the singles and doubles titles in the same edition when he takes to the court with Ukraine's Denys Molchanov in the doubles final.
Bruce Arians is not expecting Tom Brady to reverse his decision to retire from the NFL.
Brady called time on a stunning 22-season career in the league last month following the end of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' title defence.
The only player to win seven Super Bowl titles, Brady has nothing left to prove, but has not ruled out a return to the sport he has dominated.
"I'm just going to take things as they come," Brady recently told Jim Gray on the "Let's Go!" podcast. "I think that's the best way to put it, and you never say never.
"At the same time, I feel very good about my decision. I don't know how I'll feel six months from now."
The Buccaneers still own Brady's rights, so a decision to come out of retirement would mean they would need to trade or release him if he did not wish to play for the team he joined after 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.
Head coach Arians, though, is not anticipating such a scenario, telling the Tampa Bay Times: "That would shock me [Brady playing in 2022].
"And he let us know in time to do the free agency like we've done in the past, that's why I don't see it happening."
Arians also rejected claims from former NFL player Rich Ohrnberger that his relationship with Brady deteriorated last year, taking particular issue with the detail that Arians would remove things from a gameplan put together by Brady and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich while the head coach rehabbed his Achilles in the morning.
"It seems like there's one [story] every day now,’" Arians added. "Everybody is speculating he's going somewhere else.
"That don't bother me. This other b*******, the relationship thing, that's so far-fetched.
"I mean, that's such b*******. That's what pisses me off. I guess probably Byron could corroborate this, too
"First of all, I don't rehab my Achilles in the morning. I will go over the gameplans and add things, but I don't delete anything. I don't have to because they do such a good job.
"I'll see some things. Add some things. It's an awesome collaboration, one of the best I've ever been around."
Amir Khan is contemplating retirement from boxing after admitting he is losing love for the sport in the wake of his loss to Kell Brook.
Brook defeated Khan in Manchester on Saturday, securing a sixth-round stoppage in a highly anticipated grudge match between the British rivals.
A sixth career loss – and third defeat in his last six fights - left 35-year-old Khan in a reflective mood.
He bravely battled on when under constant attack from a dominant Brook but was ultimately soundly beaten.
"I've had 40 fights, winning two world titles, fighting in America and around the world," Khan said to Sky Sports.
"I need to sit down with my family. But it is more towards the end of my career.
"The love for the sport isn't there anymore and, in the ring, I didn't have excitement and that push. That's maybe a sign that I should call it a day. But let's see."
Khan added at the post-fight news conference: "The first time I felt like this was when I fought Bud [Terence] Crawford. I felt like I just can't get in the groove. I thought maybe it was just because he was that good.
"But [against Brook] I tried and I just couldn't really get in the groove.
"It's something to think about it, definitely. I've always said I don't want boxing to retire me, I want to retire from boxing before it does that.
"Punishment like that, sometimes in boxing - I know I showed a big heart and took some big shots - but sometimes too much of that can be harmful in the future.
"I've done more than I ever expected. Maybe I peaked too early in my career, I was at the Olympics at 17, I won the world title at 22.
"I want to spend time with my kids and my family. I want to be there for my family, I want to take them to school and be that father.
"I'm 35 now, I've been in the game a very long time, I'm an old man now."
Brook, meanwhile, felt the Khan camp had embarked on mind games. After hitting a 49lbs catchweight imposed by Khan, he was forced to change his gloves in the ring just before the action got under way.
"I had to put different gloves on," said Brook. "He said he wasn't happy with my gloves.
"In the final moment in the ring, they said they wouldn't pay me unless I put new gloves on. We did all his demands and there were the weight issues.
"I dealt with everything. They did it all week. They tried to get in my head. To poke at me. I even had someone knock on my hotel room door at 3am this morning to disrupt my sleep!
"But I took care of business."
Ultimately, though, the rivals embraced in the ring after the fight.
"I've always had respect for him," explained Brook. "But when I didn't get it back? It's hard to like someone.
"But he took shots and tried to hold on. I respect him for that. He said we can get a coffee after!
"I've always wanted to have the fight with Amir - this grudge match is the icing on the cake for me. I can live at peace with myself, with my career now."
Kell Brook is open to another British blockbuster fight against Chris Eubank Jr. after seeing off long-time rival Amir Khan.
A bitter feud with Khan was settled in Manchester on Saturday as Brook secured a sixth-round stoppage with a powerful and dominant display.
It was the 40th win of Brook's impressive career, with his only three defeats having come against greats of the sport in the shape of Gennady Golovkin, Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford.
Due to turn 36 in May, retirement is an option for Brook but so is a fight against Eubank (32-2), who saw off Liam Williams earlier this month and is prepared to come down to a 158lbs catchweight to secure the fight.
Asked about his future plans, Brook told Sky Sports: "I can walk away [but] Eubank, I don't like Eubank.
"We could fight Eubank and there are some big fights out there for me.
"If the millions are right, I'll fight. I'm a prizefighter at the end of the day, I've got three beautiful daughters that want that money off me."
Brook had also stated he was open to a bout with Eubank before his tussle with Khan.
"Yeah, if I do continue with the game, why not?" he said prior to the win. "I don't like him and I would like to punch his face in as well."
Eubank Jr. was in attendance for the Brook-Khan battle and made his push for what could be a lucrative fight.
"Me and Kell have beef, we have history," he said.
"He's said a lot of things about me, he says he wants to kick my head in after this fight, so I want to fight Kell Brook after this."
He added in tweet directed at Brook: "Nice win but let's see if you can fight like that against me."
Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz secured a spot in the Rio Open final after knocking off top seed Matteo Berrettini followed by countryman Fabio Fognini on Saturday.
Several quarter-finals were squeezed into Saturday's schedule alongside evening semi-finals following Friday's ranout, forcing Alcaraz to play twice along with Diego Schwartzman who also progressed to Sunday's decider.
Alcaraz first defeated top seed and 2021 Wimbledon finalist Berrettini in three sets, triumphing 6-2 2-6 6-2 in two hours and two minutes.
The 18-year-old Spanish seventh seed, who reached last year's US Open quarter-finals, backed that up with a straight-sets win over Fognini, 6-2 7-5.
"It means a lot to me," Alcaraz said post-match. "I surprised myself to be able to win two matches in a row in the same day. It's tough to win one match, two is even tougher."
Third seed Schwartzman got past fellow Argentine Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in a two-hour-and-two-minute semi-final, having won through earlier in the day 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4 against Pablo Andujar.
The top two seeds will meet in the Delray Beach Open final in Florida after wins by Cameron Norrie and Reilly Opelka on Saturday.
First seed Norrie got past American fourth seed Tommy Paul 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 16 minutes. Norrie had endured a slow start to the calendar year, but will now play for a third ATP Tour title.
Second seed Opelka had a tougher outing, needing three hours to overcome John Millman 7-6 (10-8) 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-4). In a match which only saw two breaks of serve,
Opelka, who won last week's Dallas Open title, sent down 16 aces and won 82 per cent of his first serve.
Ohio-born four-time NBA MVP LeBron James is not ruling out a potential return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 37-year-old is nearing the end of his decorated career but is enjoying an excellent season on an individual level for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
However, the Lakers do not appear to be a title threat this season, sitting below .500 with a 27-31 record and ninth spot in the Western Conference.
The Lakers also were inactive on the NBA Trade Deadline leading to some reports suggesting James was unhappy, before Anthony Davis went down with a new foot injury leaving them short-handed ahead of a crucial stretch after the All-Star break.
James, who led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA title, is in the first year of a two-year $85 million contract and will not be a free agent until the 2023-24 season.
"The door's not closed on that," James told The Athletic on Saturday when asked about potentially returning to the Cavs.
"I'm not saying I'm coming back and playing, I don't know. I don't know what my future holds. I don't even know when I'm free."
James, who played for the Cavs from 2003 to 2010, was more forthright when discussing playing alongside his son Bronny, who is eligible to be drafted in 2024 when LeBron will be 39.
"My last year will be played with my son," James said. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be.
"I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."
James, who is in Cleveland for Sunday's All-Star Game, has the third-best average for scoring per game this season, while he has scored a personal-best 25 points or more in 23 successive games, yet the Lakers are struggling to make the playoffs.
"That's part of the motivation at this point," he said. "I know it's been a hell-storm of a season for us so far but if I can get our group in the [postseason] games, all we can ask for is a chance."
Former world number one Tiger Woods admits he is not sure if he will return to the PGA Tour this year.
The 15-time major champion said earlier this week that he did not know when he will be able to competitively play golf again following his car accident in February 2021.
Woods said he was a "long way off" and added on Saturday that he could not commit to returning to the PGA Tour this calendar year.
"You'll see me [again] on the PGA Tour, I just don’t know when," Woods said on CBS during coverage of the Genesis International.
"Trust me, I'd love to tell you I'll be playing next week but I don’t know when, which is frustrating in that sense because I've been down this road too before with my back when I didn't know when I'd come back.
"It's hard. It's hard not to have goals out there. OK I want to play this event so I can set myself up for that mentally, physically and emotionally, I don’t have any of those dates in my head. I don’t know yet."
Woods had said during the week that he was still having trouble walking, having suffered significant leg injuries in the car crash.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid says the way he has been playing speaks for itself about his credentials to win the coveted NBA MVP this season.
The five-time All-Star has enjoyed a dominant season for the Sixers despite the Ben Simmons trade saga, averaging 29.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.5 assists.
Powered by Embiid who has been joined by James Harden in Philadelphia, the Sixers sit third in the Eastern Conference with a 35-23 record.
The 27-year-old finished third in MVP voting behind winner Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry last season.
"I don't want to push for the whole thing, but the way I've been playing speaks for itself," Embiid told reporters on Saturday ahead of Sunday's All-Star Game where he will play for Team Durant.
"Especially with everything we went through, the drama this whole year, obviously missing a big piece and then everything that happened to our team and the way our team is set up.
"I knew had to take my game to another level whether it was offensively, defensively or playmaking and I've got great teammates that are coming in every single day and giving their all on the floor.
"But it always goes back to winning. As long as we win I'll be at that level and have a chance to win it all and win the MVP.
"But to answer your question, the play speaks for itself. Every single night that's what I've been doing offensively and defensively and I don't plan on stopping."
Embiid, who was drafted by the Sixers with pick three in 2014, added that he felt this season was his best to date.
"There's still another level that I can get to, that I believe I can get to and I plan to keep working to reach that level," Embiid said.
"Last year was great [but] this year I really had to take my game to an even higher level than last year. I would say yes, so far, but still another level I can get to."
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul may need a stint on the sidelines due to the hand injury suffered in his side's final game prior to the All-Star break.
Paul was left clutching the injury and ejected for his reaction in the Suns' 124-121 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday after Jae'Sean Tate's arm struck his hand when throwing a pass.
The 36-year-old underwent an MRI on Thursday although the Suns have not released any diagnosis, while Paul has since linked up with Team LeBron for Sunday's All-Star Game.
Paul's hand was wrapped in a cast at Saturday's practise and he did not rule himself out of the All-Star Game, but indicated he may need time out due to the injury.
"I always want to play. When I felt that in my hand, I was mad for all types of reasons," Paul told reporters after practise.
"Obviously we're not going to [rush it]. I'm going to try to heal as fast as physically possible. The second I'm able to play, I guarantee you I will be playing."
Paul's Suns head coach Monty Williams is in charge of Team LeBron but also would not be drawn on the extent of the injury.
The Suns are leading the NBA with a 48-10 record and Paul, who has a history of hand and wrist problems, hinted that position meant he could be afforded time to get the problem right.
"We're 48-10 and if we do miss some time I know the guys are going to hold it down," Paul said.
"There's always going to be a frustration with injury. My hand surgeon is part of my family now."
Chicago Bulls' All-Star Zach LaVine says he is feeling way better after missing his side's past three games to undergo specialist treatment on a knee issue which has been hampering him all season.
LaVine, who will lace up in Sunday's All-Star Game, travelled to Los Angeles last week to have platelet-rich plasma therapy, a cortisone injection and fluid drained from his left knee.
The 26-year-old, who tore the ACL in his left knee in 2017, has missed five games in January due to knee swelling.
LaVine has played 47 of the Bulls' 59 games this season, averaging 24.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
"I wanted to go out there and make sure everything was good," LaVine said after Team Durant practice on Saturday. "I've been battling the knee soreness for a little bit, not playing at 100 per cent.
"I want to continue to go out there and try to help us win, so the last three games I had to really just take it upon myself to make sure I was OK for the second half of the season. I feel way better."
The Bulls are firmly in contention for a deep playoffs run, sitting second in the Eastern Conference with a 38-21 record.
LaVine indicated he would likely look into offseason surgery on the knee but wanted to commit to this campaign given the Bulls' position.
"It will get me through the end of the season, and in the offseason I'll be able to take care of it and try to get myself 100 percent," LaVine said.
"The season is important enough for me personally, I'll be able to go out there and play and do what I have to do still."
Joaquin Niemann extended his lead at the Genesis Invitational to three strokes after an eagle on the 10th hole on the third day at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.
The Chilean, who led after both of the first two days, carded a six-under-round of 68 to be 19-under overall, meaning his 194 across 54 holes is a course record. He leads from Cameron Young who is 16-under.
Young's double bogey on the 16th hole opened up a big gap at the top, with Viktor Hovland moving into third with a six-under-65 but he is six shots behind Niemann at 13-under.
Niemann carded four birdies on the front nine, before the highlight of his day with an eagle on the 10th after an aggressive drive.
The eagle took world number 32 Niemann to 21-under before two bogeys in his final seven holes, although Young was unable to make any major inroads.
Norwegian world number four Hovland was the big mover on Saturday, with five birdies on the front nine, although bogeys on the 14th and 15th slowed his charge.
Former PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas is one stroke behind the Norwegian after a one-under-70, while second-ranked Collin Morikawa is a further shot back after his three-under-68 took him to 11-under overall.
Last week's Arizona Open winner Scottie Scheffler also managed a six-under-round to be tied on 10-under alongside Maverick McNealy, Marc Leishman and Max Homa.
Rory McIlroy carded a four-under-67 to be seven-under and tied in a large group that includes three-time major champion Jordan Spieth who struggled with a two-over-73 with three bogeys and one birdie for the day.
Mike Tomlin said Brian Flores' resume "speaks for itself" after the Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins head coach as a senior defensive assistant.
Flores was fired by the Dolphins after a 2021 season in which he led Miami to a winning record for the second successive year.
He has since launched a class action lawsuit against the league, alleging the NFL is rife with racism and has a "disingenuous commitment to social equity".
Flores named the Dolphins along with the New York Giants and Denver Broncos as defendants.
Among the allegations from Flores is that his interview for the Giants head coaching position was essentially a sham, claiming to have inadvertently learned of their decision to hire Brian Daboll before the interview took place.
It is also alleged in the lawsuit that Flores "was interviewed only because of the Rooney Rule" by the Broncos in 2019 and was never intended to be "a legitimate candidate", while also criticising the interview board.
All three teams have denied the accusations against them while the NFL said Flores' claims "are without merit". However, prior to last week's Super Bowl, commissioner Roger Goodell said the league would take nothing off the table in a review of its hiring practices.
Flores interviewed for the head coach role with the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints and, despite missing out on those jobs, will have a chance to embellish his already impressive CV with the Steelers after being named senior defensive assistant/linebackers.
"I am excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff given his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL," Steelers head coach Tomlin said.
"Brian's resume speaks for itself, and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team."
Andrey Rublev will hope to gain revenge on Felix Auger Aliassime when they meet in the final of the Open 13 Provence.
Rublev lost in three sets to Auger Aliassime in the semi-finals in Rotterdam this month and they set up a reunion with victories in Marseille on Saturday.
A third successive win over a French opponent booked world number seven Rublev's place in the final as he saw off Benjamin Bonzi in three sets.
Bonzi, playing in his first Tour-level semi-final, threatened an upset, but Rublev raised his game in the final set to secure a 6-3 4-6 6-3 win.
"[Coming into] this week I was really motivated," Rublev said afterwards. "I was so excited to compete, to try to play at a good level, to win some matches and it's my first final of the season so I''m really happy and we will see what happens tomorrow [Sunday].
"It was super tough. Benjamin is playing really great this year, he beat great players this week and I'm happy to be in the final."
Auger Aliassime, fresh off winning his maiden ATP Tour crown in Rotterdam, progressed to another final with a 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) defeat of Roman Safiullin.
The Canadian needed two hours and 27 minutes and a pair of tie-breaks to see off the world number 163 but can now look forward to a 10th career final.
Jelena Ostapenko secured the fifth WTA title of her career with a dominant victory against Veronika Kudermetova in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday.
Ostapenko eased to a 6-0 6-4 win in just 65 minutes, which is expected to take her up to number 13 in the rankings, the first time the former world number five will have been in the top 20 since October 2018.
An impressive week for the Latvian has seen her beat Sofia Kenin, Iga Swiatek, Petra Kvitova, and Simona Halep on her way to the final, and she never looked like slipping up here.
It was consistency that made the difference, with Ostapenko winning 63.6 per cent of points on her first serve, but also an impressive 58.3 per cent on her second.
She took the first set in just 23 minutes, with her serve allowing her to zip through games with ease as Kudermetova had no answer to it, or indeed her returns.
The Russian recovered well in the second set and earned an early break, but things soon swung back to take Ostapenko to 5-3 and serving for the title. Kudermetova managed to break, only for her opponent to do the same to seal the win.
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