Novak Djokovic's first ATP final of 2022 at the Serbia Open ended in a three-set defeat to Russia's Andrey Rublev in Sunday's final.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner was seeking his first title since coming up trumps at the Paris Masters in November but went down 2-6 7-6 [7-4] 6-0 to a ruthless Rublev.
The Russian took two hours and 26 minutes to defeat Djokovic on home soil and was rewarded for a fast start against the Serbian, who only took one of his nine opportunities to break on the day.
Djokovic battled hard in the second set and managed to force a tie-break against a slightly frustrated Rublev, who quickly found himself 4-1 down in the decider as the tie went to a third set.
The Russian rediscovered his merciless returning form, though, and while Djokovic managed to save two Championship points at 5-0 down, a phenomenal forehand return from Rublev down the line handed him the Championship after a bagel.
Rublev's title at the Serbian Open represents his 11th ATP career singles win and his third of 2022 following previous successes at the Open 13 and Dubai Tennis Championships in February.
Ben Knapton
