Italian Flavio Cobolli cruised past Russian third seed Andrey Rublev to win the Hamburg Open on Saturday, days from the start of the French Open.
Cobolli produced one of the best performances of his career to win 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 28 minutes on the Hamburg clay to claim his second title of the season after winning the ATP 250 in Bucharest in April.
SUPREME IN HAMBURG 🏆@cobollifla topples Rublev 6-2 6-4 to seize the biggest title of his career! @hamburgopenatp | #bitpandahamburgopen pic.twitter.com/FvHfMnUN0g
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 24, 2025
"I think it is the best moment and match of my life for sure," Cobolli said, apologising to his opponent for his "unbelievable" play.
"I am so happy and proud of myself. I can see my family, friends, brother and girlfriend here and it is a surprise.
"I passed many battles this year and this kind of day is good for your mind. I am so happy. I just want to (lift) the trophy."
The 23-year-old Italian came into Saturday's final as an underdog against Rublev, a winner in Hamburg in 2020 and runner-up in 2019.
Opening aggressively, the Italian overcame a bloodied knee in the first set to dominate early. Despite conceding a break, Cobolli won the first set in just 29 minutes.
🚨 Stop what you’re doing! This is INSANE 🚨@cobollifla and @AndreyRublev97 with a point of the year contender! 😱@hamburgopenatp | #bitpandahamburgopen pic.twitter.com/VOZO0njwgD
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 24, 2025
The unseeded Cobolli broke his opponent once in the second set and overcame a late Rublev fightback, including saving two break points.
He converted his first match point with a backhand down the line to win the biggest title of his career.
The victory will lift Cobolli nine spots to world number 26, a career-best ranking.
Cobolli will face Croatian Marin Cilic on Monday or Tuesday in his Roland Garros opener.
Rublev, the world number 15, will take on South African Lloyd Harris in his first French Open match.