Rublev fights to progress in ATP Finals – RT Sport News
Andrey Rublev secured a place in the last four of the ATP Finals for the first time in his career after coming back to beat Greek rival Stefanos Tsitsipas in Turin on Friday.
The pair entered the contest knowing that the winner would be guaranteed a place in the semi-finals, after each picked up victory in their first two round robin matches of the tournament.
Tsitsipas – the 2019 ATP Finals champion – looked in control as he won the first set 6-3, only for Rublev to hit some big groundstrokes and come back to take the next two sets, 6-3 6- 2, at the Pala Arena Alpitour.
Rublev, 25, is in the last four of the ATP Finals for the first time in three appearances in the lucrative season-ending showpiece, and will next face Norway’s Casper Ruud on Saturday.
Ruud, 23, was the ‘green group’ winner in Turin after picking up two wins in his three round-robin matches.
“I can’t wait because Casper is such a nice person on and off the pitch,” Rublev said of the upcoming contest.
“He’s a great player, a great fighter. He’s achieved so many good things this season, so it’s going to be a really good challenge for me.
“Hopefully I’ll do my best and see what happens,” added the Russian, who is aiming for a fifth ATP title of the year.
Novak Djokovic – five-time ATP Finals winner – maintained his perfect record in this year’s group stage with a victory over already eliminated Daniil Medvedev in a three-set battle on Friday.
Djokovic topped the “red group” with three wins out of three ahead of Rublev, and the Serbian contests his semi-final against American Taylor Fritz on Saturday.
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