Andrey Rublev Edges Holger Rune In Five Sets To Advance To Australian Open Quarterfinals
In five sets, Andrey Rublev defeats Holger Rune to go to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Andrey Rublev, the fifth seed from Russia, defeated Danish youngster Holger Rune in a dramatic five-set encounter while saving two match points to go to the Australian Open quarterfinals.A dead net cord winner on his third match point against ninth-seed Rune helped Rublev earn a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (11/9) victory in a super tie-break.After five tense sets, Rune jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the tie-break and led 7-3 before going on a stunning losing streak.When Rune, 19, crashed out of the event when his backhand return hit the net tape, Rublev claimed victory.The outcome sets up a matchup with nine-time winner Novak Djokovic, who upset Australian hopeful Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 after three hours and 37 minutes on the court.Rublev remarked in his on-court interview, "I never was able to win matches like this.Being in the semifinals of a championship as great as the Australian Open is something I will undoubtedly remember for the rest of my life."Man, I have no words." I'm trembling.Rublev twice led a set only to lose it, and he trailed 5-2 in the fifth set.In order to force a super tiebreaker in the fifth set, he saved two match chances and won eight of the last ten to secure the championship.Young American Ben Shelton also defeated his countryman JJ Wolf in five sets to go to the round of eight.Both players were unseeded in Melbourne, and Shelton prevailed in three hours and 47 minutes at the John Cain Arena by scores of 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/4), and 6-2.Shelton is competing in just his second major after ending the tournament of Australian Alexei Popyrin in the third round.The 20-year-old will face fellow American Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals after the latter overcame 24th-seeded Roberto Agut Bautista of Spain 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
