Many expected this to be an absolute cracker of a match as the young and rising Andrey Rublev took on the heavy hitting Roberto Bautista but it ended up being one-way traffic.
It could have been different however as the Russian had a break point which he didn’t take. Then at 2-3, it was Bautista who enjoyed a couple of break points on Rublev’s serve. The Russian managed to fend off the Spaniard with a big backhand to the baseline but was ultimately broken a couple of points later as Bautista worked the point well and finished it at the net.
After this the match completely changed. Rublev was like a bull in a china shop. He lost focus and wasn’t hitting the ball with a purpose, but simply venting his anger and frustration. At 2-5, Bautista broke him again to seal the first set 6-2, and the Russian was a bomb waiting to explode.
The second set started in the same manner and Rublev might as well have come out waving a white flag as he immediately gave up his first service game with a long backhand.
The youngster was presented with one final chance at 2-4 to get back in it, but some big serving and a huge down the line backhand closed the final door on him. Rublev at least salvaged some pride by holding on to his serve at 2-5 but in the end Bautista comfortably sailed through to the quarter finals 6-2, 6-3.
The consistency of Bautista proved today that Rublev’s sparks of brilliance still need some polishing for him to start sending some shockwaves out on to the tour. Next up for Bautista is German qualifier Mischa Zverev.
