(Dubai) Russian Andrey Rublev (6e world) miraculously qualified for the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai by beating Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich (29e) 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) after saving five match points on Wednesday.
“Being down 6 points to 1 in the tiebreaker (of the second set, editor’s note) and saving five match points, I don’t think that’s ever happened to me in my life,” said the Russian on the court after his victory. “He was playing very well and I couldn’t find a solution,” he added.
Rublev, quarter-finalist at the Australian Open, will face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (33e global).
