Rublev defaulted in Dubai semi-finals after shouting in face of line judge

There was huge controversy at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Friday, as Andrey Rublev was defaulted for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Russian, who was trailing in the final set to Alexander Bublik at the time, was seen marching to the side of the court and screaming in the face of a line judge.

A short while later, ATP supervisor Roland Herfel appeared on court for a conversation with Rublev.

Herfel informed the No. 2 seed that what he was heard saying to the line judge was picked up by an ATP official who spoke Russian.

The official was asked by Herfel to repeat what he had heard Rublev say.

The conversation continued, as Rublev said he had not spoken to the line judge in Russian.

Despite Rublev’s protestations, Herfel said to the player that “he’s just said that you said in Russian ‘you are a f*****g moron’”.

In response, Rublev said: “I did not say that. Are you serious? I was not even talking in Russian.”

Herfel informed Rublev that his actions were enough to lead to a default, which was relayed to the crowd by chair umpire Miriam Bley.

Rublev, who was a beaten finalist in Dubai last year, will lose all his points and prize money from the week – and will drop out of the top five in the world on Monday.

Despite looking uncomfortable with the outcome, Bublik advanced to the final where he will face Ugo Humbert following his shock win over defending champion Daniil Medvedev.

Humbert played front-foot tennis throughout and was rewarded with a 7-5 6-3 win to set up a meeting with Bublik in the final.