Andrey Rublev made a plea for peace after notching an eighth consecutive victory on Friday to move into his second final in as many weeks with a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) win against Hubert Hurkacz in Dubai.
The Russian No.2 seed signed the camera lens on court with the message, “No war please”, clearly stating his feelings about his nation’s invasion of Ukraine.
The 24-year-old had told reporters in Dubai on Thursday that he believed in peace and unity and he reiterated the sentiment after his win over Hurkacz.
Rublev won the title in Marseille last Sunday and has battled through some tight situations this week in the Emirates, rallying back from a set down in each of his last three matches.
The world No.7 was 0-2 against his Polish opponent coming into the contest, and was admittedly exhausted after making the semi-finals in Rotterdam, winning Marseille, and reaching the semi-finals in Dubai in three consecutive weeks.
Now through to the championship match, Rublev will be seeking a 10th career title and fifth at the ATP 500 level on Saturday.
He will face either Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely, who shocked Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, or Canadian sixth seed Denis Shapovalov in the final.
