Andreu Rublev says he will remember his win over Holger Rune at the Australian Open for the rest of his life after battling back in a thrilling five-set thriller.
The world No.6 looked to be on the verge of exiting the tournament multiple times and saved two match points before prevailing 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(11-9), in an epic encounter. Rublev was trailing behind through the majority of the deciding set where he came back from a 2-5 deficit, saved two match points at 5-6 and then sensationally recovered from 0-5 down in the 10-point tiebreaker en route to victory. Then a stroke of luck saw him clinch the victory with a shot that clipped the top of the net before landing on Rune’s side of the court.
“It’s a rollercoaster man, like they put a gun to your head. Rollercoasters are actually easier,” Rublev said during his on-court interview.
“I was 5-2 down in the fifth set. 6-5 two match points and then 5-0 in the super tie-break. I never in my life was able to win matches like this and this is the first-ever time that I won something like this.
“Especially in a very special tournament playing the Australian Open. Playing in the quarter-final is something that I will remember for sure all my life.
“I have no words man. I am shaking.”
Rublev’s latest performance saw him hit 22 aces and 58 winners past rising star Rune who is ranked just four places lower than him in the rankings. It is the first time he has beaten a top 10 player at Melbourne Park after losing his four previous encounters.
As for Rune, the 19-year-old is left wondering what could have been. The Dane is only the second man from his country to have ever reached the last 16 of the tournament after Kenneth Carlsen in 1993.
“I think it was a great match. I had all the chances that I could wish for. I just didn’t close him,” said Rune.
“I thought I played strong from the fourth set. I raised my game a little bit. I think I took my chances well, just not in the fifth set. That is where it matters. He was better than me in the important moments.”
It is the second time Rublev has reached the last eight of the Australian Open and the seventh time he has done so at a Grand Slam tournament. Out of his seven quarter-final appearances, he has lost six of those in straight sets. The only exception was at the 2022 French Open where he lost to Marin Cilic in five.
“Of course, I have learned lessons,” he commented on those previous performances whilst speaking with Eurosport.
“We’ll see. Now I’m not thinking too much about when you have many opportunities that this is the moment to go beyond the quarter-finals and I didn’t make it. I don’t want to put pressure (on myself) and think this way. I just want to try to do my best.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the 25-year-old who could face Novak Djokovic in the next round. A player who he trails 1-2 in their head-to-head.
“No one wants to face Novak. I’d rather be on the other side of the draw,” Rublev jokes.
“I’m just happy that I was able to win this match and I will enjoy this evening.”
