Rublev Rallies To Give Russia Early Lead In ATP Cup SFs

  • Posted: Feb 06, 2021

World No. 8 Andrey Rublev responded emphatically after dropping his first set of 2021 ATP Cup to Germany’s No. 2 Jan-Lennard Struff, rallying to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 and giving Russia an early lead in the semi-finals.

Rublev came into the tournament as one of the hottest players on Tour, winning the the most titles (five) and joint-most matches (41) last year as he soared into the Top 10 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. He carried that momentum into Melbourne, cruising to victory in his rubbers against Guido Pella of Argentina and Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan to put Russia back into the semi-finals.

He faced his biggest challenge of the tournament against Struff, who amassed three victories in singles and doubles in the group stage. Struff imposed his big-serving game to cool off the Russian’s rhythm, keeping the points short and not allowing his opponent to control the rallies from the baseline. The strategy paid off as a frustrated Rublev served up two double faults in the same game to hand Struff the opening break, and a way to take the opening set.

But Rublev responded by doubling down in his attacking strategy, and he left Struff shell-shocked as he powered his way back into the match with a double break to start the second set. Rublev stayed aggressive, firing 37 winners off both wings as he dropped just three games across the next two sets to take the victory after an hour and 34 minutes.

“In the first set I was really nervous, and plus he was playing really good,” Rublev said in his on-court interview. “He was attacking a lot and he was all over me. I couldn’t answer. And then in the second set I said, ‘If I’m going to play like this, I’m going to lose 6-3. 6-3 and that’s it.’ So I need to change, go for the shots, start to hit as well. I raised my level, I started to play more aggressive, I started to move better. That was the change.”

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The victory puts Team Russia one step closer to its first ATP Cup final. Reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion Daniil Medvedev will look to get the job done in the No. 1 singles match against Alexander Zverev next under the roof on Rod Laver Arena. 

More to follow…

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