Tennis
Rublev’s ingenious blow in the fall blew up the Internet. Opponent froze in shock
Andrey Rublev / Photo: © Zac Goodwin – PA Images / Contributor / PA Images / Gettyimages.ru
This simply cannot be!
The Russians continue to perform shock at Wimbledon. Another good news was brought by Andrey Rublev, who beat Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan in a difficult match.
And he did it in a very cool style!
An attempt at revenge
The path of both tennis players to the head-to-head match was not easy, but not the most exhausting either.
Rublev alternately defeated Max Purcell from Australia, compatriot Aslan Karatsev and Belgian David Goffin. The first match ended in three sets, the next – in four. Rublev had the hardest time with Goffin – twice the tennis players played in a tie-break.
Bublik, in turn, eliminated the Americans Mackenzie McDonald and Jeff Wolf, as well as Maximilian Marterer from Germany. It is interesting that Alexander gave the very first set in the tournament, losing to McDonald in a tie-break, but then he did not allow misfires.
In ATP tournaments, Rublev and Bublik met four times. Three matches were left for the Russian, and the Kazakhstani celebrated success once. His only victory, by the way, came in the final of the grass tournament in Hull, which took place before Wimbledon. Therefore, the head-to-head game between Andrey and Alexander in the 1/8 finals was also considered as an attempt at revenge.
“I want to say nasty things”
The match started in a very equal fight. Tennis players played well on their serve, and the first break happened only when the score was 6:5 in favor of Rublev. The Russian managed to seize the initiative and take the first set – 7:5.
Approximately the same situation occurred in the second set. Opponents consistently exchanged won games on their serve. The only difference is that Rublev made a break already in the middle of the game and at the same time did not allow Bublik to recoup. Three taken games in a row actually decided the outcome of the set – 6:3 in favor of Andrey.
Bagel was indignant, angry and even wanted to swear in his usual manner. However, something stopped him.
– I want to say something nasty. I really want to, ”Bublik said after the second set.
But the tennis player did not realize his desire.
Advantage evaporated
Apparently, restraint at the right time went to Bublik in favor. He took advantage of the fact that he started the third set on his serve, and did not allow Rublev to make at least one break. The exchange of games reached the score 6:6, where Andrey was unlucky: the score in the tie-break was 6:8.
The situation repeated itself in the fourth set, with the only difference being that Rublev was already serving first. An absolutely equal game again led to equality, and Andrey again faltered in the tie-break – 5:7. The advantage of the first two sets evaporated.
stunning beauty
In the fifth installment, Rublev was able to make a break in the seventh game and, due to this, strengthened his advantage. But the most important thing was ahead.
In the tenth game, when the Russian was leading 5:4, something amazing happened. In a long rally with the score at 30:15, Rublev attacked powerfully, while Bublik defended desperately, but managed to make a cool hit on the line. It seemed that Andrei could not catch the ball, but by some miracle he reached out and, in the fall, transferred the projectile to the opponent’s side.
The stunning beauty of the episode brought Rublev two match points at once, and the audience – a true tennis delight. The audience gave a standing ovation to the trick performed by the Russian. The bagel stood in a daze and could not understand what had happened.
The video of Rublev’s kick instantly went viral. He was noted even by the official representatives of Wimbledon.
“This is one of the best shots we’ve seen here! Andrew, hats off! – such a message appeared in the social networks of the tournament.
Andrei himself commented on his miracle blow succinctly and modestly.
– The falling shot before the double match point was the most successful for the entire time of the game. It was luck, nothing more. I don’t think I can do it again,” Rublev said after the match.
First quarter-final
This exchange of blows, in fact, was the last. With the score at 40:15, Rublev filed right through and won the match. Thanks to this, he reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time.
Andrey’s rival will be either the Pole Hubert Hurkach, or the great Serb Novak Djokovic. It seems that they have already watched the draw of the Russian and managed to marvel at his beauty. With such luck and dedication, Rublev can handle any rivals.
Source: Sportbox
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.