Auger-Aliassime, Rublev to clash for Marseille title

 Felix Auger-Aliassime reached his second successive final on Saturday to set up a Marseille title showdown with Russia’s Andrey Rublev. 

Canadian world No 9 Auger-Aliassime, who won his maiden ATP crown at Rotterdam last weekend after eight losses in finals, defeated Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin, ranked 163 in the world, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5). 

Seventh-ranked Rublev downed France’s Benjamin Bonzi 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in his semifinal. 

Rublev, who lost to Auger-Aliassime in a three-set semifinal in Rotterdam, has made a habit of upsetting French hopes this week having knocked out Richard Gasquet and Lucas Pouille in earlier rounds.  

SuperSport/Nnenna.O