Do you want to fully experience the meaning of the expression “iron character”? Just watch the fourth round match of the Australian Open with Andrey Rublev. And don’t try to figure out how he managed to win by losing 2-5 in the deciding set and then 0-5 in the tie-break.

It is unlikely that even Andrei himself understands how he created a real sports miracle.

Rublev and Khachanov brightened up the loss of Medvedev

The main hopes of Russian fans at the Australian Open were associated with Daniil Medvedev, who in recent years has accustomed him to big victories and outstanding performances at major tournaments. The finalist of last year’s draw did not live up to expectations, losing in the third round to the American Sebastian Korda. However, the frustration over Medvedev’s departure was quickly replaced by joy at the cool performance of the other two Russians.

Karen Khachanov is amazingly confident with his opponents, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time in his career. There he is about to meet Medvedev’s offender.

Photo: © Quinn Rooney / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Andrei Rublev, seeded at number five, unlike his friend and compatriot, has repeatedly been in the top eight at the Grand Slam tournaments, but lost all six quarterfinals. For the opportunity to get the seventh attempt, Rublev fought with the young Dane Holger Rune, to whom many predict leadership in the world rankings and a scattering of victories at the Grand Slam.

Bookmakers gave a slight advantage to the Dane, but in general the chances of the players looked about equal. Andrei is six years older than his opponent, four positions higher in the rating and much more titled, however, the only face-to-face fight, which took place just two months ago, ended with Rune’s victory in two sets.

Predictable kill

An easy victory for any of the tennis players would be a big surprise, given their close level and the significance of the meeting. Rublev entered the court as charged as possible, from the very beginning he acted actively and tried to crush Rune with pressure. Holger responded to the break of the Russian, but Andrei did not fall apart and brought the game to victory – 6:3. Rublev started the second set with three break points, but did not take advantage of the chance, and soon gave up the game on his serve. Rune at that moment looked preferable and took the set – 6:3.

In the third installment, Rublev added to the game on the pitch, without giving the opponent a single opportunity to make a break. The Dane faltered in the sixth game, after which the Russian methodically completed the set in his favor – 6:3. The ending of the fourth set was dramatic. Holger lost a game on his serve, serving for a set, but immediately made a break and turned the battle into the fifth game.

Photo: © Cameron Spencer / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Rublev did the impossible… twice!

After the rescue, the Dane clearly caught the courage, acting more accurately and more consistently than Rublev. Andrey, it seemed, was very tired and lost the initiative. With a score of 5:2 in favor of the Scandinavian, only desperate optimists believed in the success of the Russian. However, Andrei, being on the edge of the abyss, turned on the beast mode and took the game to zero on Rune’s serve, after which he equalized the score – 5:5. The fate of a ticket to the quarterfinals was decided in a tie-break, where Rune took five draws in a row. Salvation in such a situation is pure fantasy even for women’s tennis, and in men’s tennis such stories can be completely counted on the fingers.

Rublev could only not give up and hope for a miracle. And it happened! Andrey equalized the score, went to the match points and finished the meeting on the third attempt. After the final draw, Rublev fell onto the court and lay for several seconds, as if not believing in what he had done.

After the match, the Russian tennis player admitted that he felt as if a gun was put to his head. He also said that he would remember this meeting for the rest of his life.

For the right to play in the semi-finals of the Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career, Rublev will compete with either Novak Djokovic or Alexis de Minor. It will be difficult, but now we know that Andrei is capable of anything. And most importantly, he knows it himself!