Andrey Rublev is already making headlines as a potential star of the future, but showed little of that promise this evening as Mikhail Kukushkin professionally dismissed him 6-2, 6-4.
The Kazakh overwhelmed the young Russian in the first set, breaking in game one, as the young Russian failed to break down the solid ground strokes, Kukushkin seemingly happy to wait for opportunities. They arrived quickly, as Rublev fell behind thirty-forty, and handing the break over to fall behind early.
Kukushkin held, and then the story, repeated, with the Rublev serve failing to adequately trouble Kukushkin, who was making easy returns. This time Kukushkin, who earlier this month reached his career high ranking of forty-six, broke to fifteen, serving again for a convincing lead, with Rublev looking out of his depth.
Rublev did manage a love service hold in game five, and forced a break point as he tried to climb out depths of the first set. Kukushkin held though, and there would be only one point against serve the rest of the set. Rublev only managed a fifty-five percent win margin on his service point on account of the two service breaks.
In set two, Kukushkin tried to replicate the early success that had seen him run away with the first set, earning a break point in Rublev’s opening game. The Russian though, displayed better fortitude saving the break point. Both men held serve through the main body of the set, with Kukushkin saving two break points in game four.
Rublev then handed Kukushkin a chance at fifteen thirty in game nine, after a double-fault. It seemed that Rublev had escaped when he reached forty-thirty, but missed a rallying ball. Kukushkin would then demonstrated great defensive skills, sitting deep to return serve, and on break point, coaxing a backhand error from his opponent. Kukushkin then quickly held serve to secure his place in round two, Rublev blocking a final backhand down the line into the net. Kukushkin, seeded eighth, will now face Andrey Kuznetsov in round two, after the Russian was victorious over Radu Albot.
The young Russian has a bright future, already demonstrating that in all likelihood his future involves the Top 10 of tennis. He spent the summer playing strongly qualifying for the US Open main draw, and earning a set from Kevin Anderson, who was on his way to the best from of his career. He also took a win over Pablo Andujar in Davis Cup, and took sets from Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini. But Kukushkin delivered on what is historically his best surface. The Kazakh also enjoyed a strong run in Asia making the quarter finals in Kuala Lumpur before falling to David Ferrer.
