Rublev was playing Kazakhstani, Alexander Bublik, to advance to the final.

Rublev took the first set 7 – 6, while Bublik fought back and took the second 7 -6.  The third set was a tense affair with both competitors fuming at officials.

In the final set, Rublev lost his temper and started yelling at a line judge.  Rublev was then defaulted by the chair umpire after a Russian-speaking official accused him of using an obscenity while he screamed at the line judge.  Rublev denied the allegation.  Bublik, who was happy to continue, was awarded the win.

The result means that Rublev will lose his prize money and ranking points earned in the tournament. 

In the other semi-final, France’s Ugo Humbert made short work of world no. 8 and defending champion, Daniil Medvedev, beating the Russian 7-5, 6-3. This was the third time that Medvedev was undone by Humbert in four matchups.

The final between Humbert and Bublik will take place this afternoon at 17:00.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger