Rublev, who dropped only one set as he eliminated Jiri Lehecka, Taro Daniel and Fabio Fognini on his way to the final, has now equalled Rafael Nadal's mark of three tour-level titles in 2022.
The second-seeded Russian player dug deep to stop Djokovic from mounting another comeback as he prevented the top-ranked Serb from claiming his first title of 2022.
Novak Djokovic booked a place in the Serbia Open final after overcoming another slow start and Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic dug deep for the second match in a row to reach the semifinals of the Serbia Open with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Miomir Kecmanovic.
Novak Djokovic rallied from a set down to beat compatriot Laslo Djere 2-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) in the second round of the Serbia Open in a match that lasted almost three and a half hours.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion tweeted Wednesday that the Centers for Disease Control 'confirmed the regulations won't be changing so I won't be able to play in the US'.
It remains to be seen whether the unvaccinated Serbian will be allowed to enter the US.
That means Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, could be allowed to compete at Roland Garros in May unless the restrictions are tightened again.
A statement that went up on Djokovic's website on Tuesday said that the two men “agreed to end their partnership” after last year's season-ending ATP Finals.
Djokovic's latest stay atop the rankings began on Feb. 3, 2020, and his total of 361 weeks there are the most for any man since the tour's computerized rankings began in 1973.
The world number one Novak Djokovic and former champion Andy Murray reached the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships in contrasting styles.
Djokovic couldn't defend his Australian Open title last month because he was deported from the country for being unvaccinated.
The world’s top male tennis player sounded an upbeat note in a press conference a day before the start of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis championship
After being twice detained and deported from Australia ahead of the year's first Grand Slam Tournament last month, Djokovic was in the United Arab Emirates for the Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Novak Djokovic said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that he is prepared to skip the French Open and Wimbledon if vaccination against the coronavirus is required for him to play.
Djokovic, who was unvaccinated against COVID-19 as of last month, was detained and eventually deported from Australia for failing to meet that country's strict vaccination requirements. It prevented him from defending his Australian Open title last month.
Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in the men's final of the Australian Open to surpass Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, each of whom have won 20 Grand Slams each.
Russia's Daniil Medvedev maintains second irrespective of his result against Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open men's final.
From Feb. 15, anyone who is not vaccinated against the coronavirus will need to show proof they tested positive for COVID-19 within the previous four months — in order to enter sports venues in France.
Djokovic was deported from Australia and barred from playing in the Australian Open this month for not meeting the country’s strict COVID-19 vaccination rules.
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