There were a number of stunned faces when Andrey Rublev managed to defeat Roger Federer in straight sets. The Swiss tennis ace was downed during a Round of 16 match and would have faced Daniil Medvedev.
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Instead, the former World number 1 was sent packing by Rublev to set up an all-Russian clash. It seems that the qualifier is not finished with his giant-killing, having dispatched Stan Wawrinka, prior to meeting Roger Federer.
The 21-year-old Rublev was down in 70th in the ATP Rankings in the wake of injury woes. However, he seems to have bounced back strongly and was able to successfully counter Federer’s backhand. In the process, he broke the third seed at least three times in the match.
While Roger Federer bravely tried to forge ahead, Rublev seemed to have the answer to every riddle thrown at him. Federer did break back once, but it paled in comparison to the number of breaks accumulated by Rublev.
He reached a career-high of No. 31 in the ATP Rankings back in 2018 and his career was on the upsurge. Unfortunately, his body had other ideas, as a lower back stress fracture forced him out of action for three months. That was soon followed by a wrist injury, keeping him out of Roland Garros and the start of the grass-court season.
However, with this win over Federer, all those injuries seem like ancient history and a new and revitalised Andrey Rublev is here.
SHOCKER 😱
In their first ever meeting, @AndreyRublev97 scores the biggest win of his career over Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4. The qualifier faces compatriot Medvedev in the QFs. #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/hwZACf942u
— Western & Southern Open (@CincyTennis) August 15, 2019
See you next year, @rogerfederer 👏#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/u3H34VNk8y
— Western & Southern Open (@CincyTennis) August 15, 2019
Qualifier Andrey Rublev earns an emphatic career best win over Roger Federer 63 64 to reach QFs. Faces countryman Medvedev next. #CincyTennis
— Erik Gudris (@ATNtennis) August 15, 2019
Andre Rublev scores a huge win 63 64 over 7 time Cincy champ Roger Federer. Rublev gets Swiss double, he beat wawrinka in previous round. Federer has not lost to a qualifier/lucky loser in straight sets on hardcourt for 12 years.
— Craig Gabriel (@crosscourt1) August 15, 2019
@rogerfederer I am very disappointed Roger, anyway better luck next time & US open
— Rasu (@Rasu81408146) August 15, 2019
Classy as always.Poor fed fans,neither a selfie .
— Edo (@Edoardo73149138) August 15, 2019
Oh come on. Just because of this match. 🤨
How quickly you forget.— ☀️ (@VolleyMePlease) August 15, 2019
@AndreyRublev97 Great win today against Roger Federer. Well done Andrey! 🎾
— Ian Holman (@IanHolman) August 15, 2019
It's not my day either @rogerfederer Time to move on. Tomorrow is a new day. So many good players already lost in Cinci but most likely the only player some people ask to retire is you. It's up to the young players to raise their level of play and challenge Rafa and Novak.
— Doris (@DorisLaRubia) August 15, 2019
C you in US Open @rogerfederer
We ❤️ U !
Be fit that's most important for you & us
Always & forever with you .
Good Night from 🇨🇭
Take care . pic.twitter.com/s8hWzcQFrz— Roger's_true Fan (@fedrista) August 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/Arijit48305343/status/1162107141492133889?s=20
He will NOT, not even in the next round… he's been getting a lot of WCs in the last few years (w nothing 2 show 4) while his fellow🇷🇺s Khachanov & Medvedev were playing their way up…A flash in the pan, just like this win over .@rogerfederer who played horribly today! 😏🙄😒😞
— Jenica Badaluta (@JenicaBadaluta) August 15, 2019
now what do i do since roger federer is no longer playing cincinnati pic.twitter.com/VWkqCecX9t
— renée (@kaoyix) August 15, 2019
Roger usually struggles playing against someone he meets for the first time. It's his second match after a little break so it's understandable that it takes some time to find back into form. Bo5 should help him actually in New York.
— Doris (@DorisLaRubia) August 15, 2019