2021 Mubadala World Tennis Championship – Final – Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray on and what time does it start? Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray will take place on Saturday 18^th December, 2021 – not before 17:00 (UK)

Where is Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray taking place? Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray will take place at the International Tennis Centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE

What surface is Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray being played on? Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray will take place on an outdoor hard court

Where can I get tickets for Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray

What channel is Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray on? Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray will be televised live on Eurosport

Where can I stream Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray? Sky Sports subscribers can stream Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray live on Sky Go, while the Eurosport website and app can also be used in addition to discovery+

THE PREDICTION

World number five Andrey Rublev was part of a proper showdown on court yesterday to eventually overcome an impressive Denis Shapovalov in three sets. The Mubadala World Tennis Championship is an exhibition tournament but the two did not play like it and more of the same can be expected today with Andy Murray looking solid and with a point to prove. Rublev was the winner of their last meeting earlier this year at the Rotterdam Open, halting one of the Brit’s brief flurries of promise before he managed to fully return to the tour in the late Autumn. Their head-to-head record sits at one win apiece now but Murray has not beaten this version of the Russian, who really came into his own over the last few years.

Murray’s defeat of Rafael Nadal was vastly impressive but the Spaniard’s first match back in three months is a level of intensity below Rublev in a final and it seems likely that this match needs a decider. Taking it to see three sets is a reasonable option here but picking Rublev to win at least one of them as the likelier of two very capable Mubadala champions should be a little safer.