Andrey Rublev rallied from a set down to reach his first Barcelona Open final on Saturday, defeating Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals of the ATP 500 clay-court event.
The world No. 15 Russian, competing in his eleventh Barcelona campaign, had never previously advanced beyond the quarterfinals at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona. He will contest Sunday’s final after overcoming the tournament’s standout surprise package.
Medjedovic, who had entered through qualifying and built his way to the last four with wins over players including world No. 10 Alex de Minaur, made a sharp start. The Serb broke Rublev’s serve to move ahead 4-2 in the opening set and held firm to take it, sending a warning to the seeded favorite.
Rublev responded in kind in the second set. Converting both break-point opportunities that came his way, he leveled the match with a commanding 6-2 performance, turning the momentum decisively in his favor.
The third set followed a similar script. Rublev broke to lead 4-2, then consolidated to move 5-2 ahead on his own serve. Medjedovic, who appeared to be experiencing some physical discomfort in the closing stages, was broken once more in the final game, surrendering the match and the chance at a final appearance.
Medjedovic’s run at the tournament was one of the week’s defining storylines, having progressed from qualifying with a string of wins over higher-ranked opponents. He entered the semifinal having won nine of his last ten matches on clay.
Rublev now awaits the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between Frenchman Arthur Fils and 19-year-old Spanish wildcard Rafael Jodar.
Jodar has won eight consecutive matches, including a maiden ATP title in Marrakech, and becomes just the fifth Spanish teenager to reach the Barcelona semifinals in the Open Era — following Alex Corretja, Carlos Moya, Rafael Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz. The young Spaniard’s current ranking of No. 55 represents a rise from outside the Top 600 twelve months ago.
