Andrey Rublev extends his shocking Grand Slam quarter-final record at US Open
Andrey Rublev has added another notch of misery to his Grand Slam quarterfinal record.
Daniil Medvedev won the all-Russian clash at the US Open to deal his friend Rublev more quarter-final misery.
Third seed Medvedev, the 2021 champion at Flushing Meadows, lost the opening three games of the match as Rublev flew out of the blocks.
The world number eight, who is godfather to Medvedev’s daughter, won the first eight points and 14 out of the first 15.
Yet Medvedev quickly grew into the match, winning the first two sets amid some punishing rallies in stifling heat inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Rublev led by a break in the third but was pegged back again, and in a 15-minute final game, Medvedev converted match point at the fifth attempt to wrap up a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Luckless Rublev has now made the quarter-final stage in nine Grand Slam tournaments and he has lost all of them.
“It was brutal,” said Medvedev. “The only good thing I see in this condition is that both suffered.
“Honestly, at the end of the first set, I kind of couldn’t see the ball anymore. I kind of played with sensations.
“Just tried to go for it, tried to run, tried to catch the balls and he did the same.
“Sometimes before the points I was like ‘wow it seems like he cannot run anymore’ … but he was there all the time and I was like ‘damn, when is he going to be tired?’.
“Actually we were tired all the time. So yeah, brutal conditions and super tough to win.”
Rublev didn’t try to hide his pain as he spoke in his post-match press conference,
“When he had the break points, he would win straight away,” said the Russian.
“From his serve, I had a lot of break points and chances and in the end, he was able to save them more than me. I was not able to do the same.
“I had a lot of chances, but he was better in those moments. At this level, these things are important.”
Rublev went on to admit he doesn’t feel he is getting any closer to ending his Grand Slam quarter-final misery as he added: “My ranking is seven or eight and I did basically the result of my ranking. I guess I am proving my ranking at the moment.
“We will see in the last part of the season how it is going to be, but I need to fight. This sport is not easy and you have to be ready for anything that can happen. In the end, the best players prove they are the best.
“There is something about the best players who do better or read it better.”
Rublev’s Grand Slam year comes to an end with more disappointment and now Medvedev will get a chance to confirm his 2021 US Open win was not just a one Grand Slam wonder.
READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios hits out at ‘idiotic’ question directed at Novak Djokovic and makes GOAT claim
