Andrey Rublev overcame lucky loser Ricardas Berankin 6-3 6-4 to reach the second round at the Hamburg Open, where he will face Francisco Cerundolo.
Rublev holds a 10-2 record in Hamburg. He reached the final in 2019 before before beating Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the 2020 title.
Rublev converted his second break point in the fourth game to win the first set 6-4. Rublev started the second set with an early break in the opening game. Berankis broke back in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3. Rublev earned his second break in the ninth game to close out the second set 6-4.
Rublev has extended his winning streak to 3-0 over Berankis.
The Russian player has won three titles Marseille, Dubai and Belgrade and reached the semifinals in Basted.
“I am happy with my performance. Ricardas is a really tough player He hits the ball hard and plays fast, so I had to bring intensity from the first game. I am really with how I was serving today and I hit some great shots from the baseline”, said Rublev.
Lorenzo Musetti beat Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4 7.5 after 1 hour and 52 minutes. Musetti earned the first break in the opening game and saved two break points in the second game. The Italian player held his next service games and served out at 15 in the 10th game.
Musetti missed a match point at 5-3 on Ruusuvori’s serve. He did not convert two match points in the 10th game and Ruusuvuori broke back to draw level tp draw level to 5-5. Musetti earned the decsive break in the 11th game before sealing the win in the next game on her seventh match point.
Borna Coric knocked out Tallon Griekspoor 6-3 6-4 setting up a match against Alex Molcan.
Molcan overcame 2021 champion Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3 1-6 7-6 (7-5).
“I am very happy. I played a great match yesterday and today I was performig well. I was great and my forehand was working well”, said Coric.
