Andrey Rublev’s perfect start to 2020 has continued, the Russian winning the final of the Adelaide International on Saturday night by sweeping aside South African qualifier Lloyd Harris 6-3 6-0.
The world No.18, the third seed in Adelaide, became the first player since Dominik Hrbaty in 2004 to win back-to-back titles in the opening two weeks of the season, his success in Adelaide coming off the back of his victory in Doha last week.
Rublev has won all eight of his matches in 2020, and heads to the Australian Open on a 12-match winning streak dating back to last season.
"I'm happy that these two weeks went this way and I got two titles, it's amazing," Rublev said.
"I never had this before. What is going to happen in Melbourne, I go there completely free because I did already amazing.
"I am not putting any goals, I am just going there to try to do my best."
The Russian made his move in the sixth game of the opening set on Saturday night, breaking Harris’ serve by attacking the forehand of the world No.91.
Rublev then served out the set two games later, and took a stranglehold on the match when he broke serve again in the second game of the second set.
Harris, playing in his first tour-level final, dropped all three service games in the final set, Rublev comfortably wrapping up the match and securing the title in 56 minutes after the South African made a backhand error.
"If you talk about results, of course this is the best I have ever done,” Rublev said
“But if you talk about level, then no ... even last year, I was showing sometimes even better games or (a) better level, but it was once in two months.
"Now, it's more consistent. That is what we're working for, to be more consistent, more mentally strong."
Rublev begins his Australian Open campaign on Tuesday against Australian wildcard Chris O’Connell, while Harris faces 14th seed Diego Schwartzman of Argentina on Monday afternoon.