Halle Open: World No seven Andrey Rublev survives second set scare to beat Nikoloz Basilashvili

Halle: World number seven Andrey Rublev is into his first grass-court final on the ATP tour after beating Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili in the last four at Halle on Saturday. The 23-year-old Russian was made to work for his 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 semi-final victory in just under two hours. “It’s my first final on grass and in Halle,” said Rublev, who was the only seed left in the draw from the quarter-finals onwards. “I think I can play on every surface and I will try my best again tomorrow.” In Sunday’s final, Rublev will meet Ugo Humbert, who beat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) in the other semi-final later Saturday. Humbert, ranked 31st in the world, has been in impressive form in Halle and the 22-year-old dumped out French Open semi-finalist Alexander Zverev in the last 16. Earlier in the week, Auger-Aliassime, 20, also underlined his status as one to watch on the ATP tour with a shock second-round win over childhood idol Roger Federer in Halle.