Grand Slam and Masters 1000 breakthrough needed for Andrey Rublev after ATP 500 dominance

Very few players have been quite able to play as well as Andrey Rublev has since the beginning of 2020, with the Russian excelling both before and after the Covid-19 enforced break.
Rublev won two titles in 2020 prior to the five-month suspension of ATP action caused by the pandemic, and has won another four titles since the Tour resumed in August last year.
The 23-year-old has also reached the last eight at all three Grand Slam events since the resumption of the Tour, and there is little doubt that he is in career-best form after struggling badly with injury a couple of years ago.
The world No 8 has now won 20 straight matches at ATP 500 events – a run only bettered by Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
The ‘Rublev-olution 500’ Tour continues 🎸
🏆 2020 Hamburg ✅✅✅✅✅
🏆 2020 St. Petersburg ✅✅✅✅✅
🏆 2020 Vienna ✅✅✅✅✅
🏆 2021 Rotterdam ✅✅✅✅✅@AndreyRublev97 #abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/zMXgufGELQ— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 7, 2021
He has also proven dominant against players he should be beating on paper, winning 31 of his last 32 matches against players outside the top 10, though his challenge now is to start bringing that level of success to the biggest events.
The Russian has reached the quarter-final of his last three Grand Slams and has reached four major quarter-finals in his career, though has not won a set in any of those matches and is also yet to reach the semi-final of an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Two of those recent quarter-final losses have come to Daniil Medvedev, who is one of only two men – alongside Novak Djokovic – to pick up more wins than Rublev since the restart, though these are the type of opponents he will need to beat if he wants to progress further.
Of course, the impact of Covid-19 must be taken into account. There were only three ATP Masters 1000 events last year due to widespread disruption on the Tour, meaning there were fewer opportunities for a breakthrough.
However Rublev did not make the last eight at any of those events, but will be looking for a stronger showing at the Miami Open towards the end of March.
The ATP Tour is also more likely to be more complete this year meaning that there will be opportunities at the Masters 1000 events whilst the Grand Slams may also have a greater sense of normality, providing Rublev with further opportunities to break through on the bigger stages.
He will certainly need to raise his level to challenge and beat the likes of Medvedev, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal who will likely stand in his way, though the fact that there will likely be more opportunities to compete at these events in 2021 may provide the experience he needs.
Rublev was hyped up greatly as a junior and there is no doubt that he has the potential to improve on his current ranking of eighth and win big titles, perhaps even picking up a Slam or two.
To do that though, he’ll need to start bringing that level of tennis and start picking up big wins at the biggest events this season.
Follow Oli Jefford on Twitter @odicksonjefford.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
US Open
Serena Williams retirement: Greg Rusedski not discounting ‘box office’ Serena to retire on a high at US Open
Serena Williams to bow out on a high by winning the US Open?
-
News
Serena Williams retirement: Tennis might never see such a remarkable icon ever again
The remarkable career of Serena Williams is drawing to a close.
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams’ greatest milestones as she prepares to bid farewell: Open Era Grand Slam record, prize money
Serena Williams has had quite a career.
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams confirms will retire after US Open, but doesn’t want any ‘ceremonial, final on-court moment’
Time to shed a tear or two, the great Serena Wiliams is to retire after the US Open.
-
WTA Tour
WATCH: Serena Williams wins superb rally, says she went into ‘mom mode’ after spotting daughter in the crowd
Serena Williams wins incredible shot after brilliant defensive work – and her daughter was there to see it.
-
ATP Tour
Alexander Zverev gives positive injury update, but withdraws from Cincy with US Open also in doubt
A fitness update from Alexander Zverev.
-
News
LTA’s first pro padel event in Great Britain a major success as Tia Norton and Carla Fito Fernandez win big
Congratulations to Tia Norton and Carla Fito Fernandez as well as Bram Meijer and Sten Richters.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: Roger Federer keeps his promise to young fan in awe-inspiring video
If this video from Roger Federer and Zizou doesn’t make you smile today, then nothing will.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev shrugs off playing under neutral flag: ‘I’m still Daniil Medvedev. I still want to win big titles’
Daniil Medvedev has moved on from the Wimbledon ban.
-
WTA Tour
Leylah Fernandez keeps her emotions in check to claim comeback win to say ‘thank you’ to family and friends
A first-ever Canadian Open win for Leylah Fernandez.