Griekspoor Overcomes Injury to Reach Dubai Final

Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands advanced to the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Friday after overcoming a midmatch hamstring injury to defeat fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev of Russia 7-5, 7-6 (6) in the semifinals at the Dubai Tennis Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.

The 29-year-old world No. 25, who entered the tournament unseeded, displayed resilience in a 105-minute contest marked by dominant serving from both players. Each fired 20 aces and produced 37 winners, with Griekspoor saving all six break points he faced to secure his first victory over Rublev in four career meetings. The Dutchman, who had already upset second-seeded Alexander Bublik in the second round and 13th-seeded Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals, converted his lone break opportunity in the first set at 6-5 following medical treatment for his left leg injury. He then rallied from 4-6 down in the second-set tiebreaker, saving two set points with a forehand return winner and a wide serve before closing out the match when Rublev netted a forehand return.

"I could barely walk after the match," Griekspoor said courtside, expressing doubt about continuing had the semifinal extended to a...