Key events
So how’s this match going to go? Well Medvedev is just so solid on serve and makes so few errors that the starting point has to be he wins. But if Rublev, who’s running forehand is a terrific shot, can keep him moving, he’s a good chance, and I’d exoect to see a fair few drops given how far back his opponent likes to stand. Medvedev, meanwhile, will want long points, and will hit deep and flat, offering little to go at.
Earlier today and also in this group, Alexander Zverev came back from a set down to beat Carlos Alcaraz. “Alcaraz isn’t great on the indoor,” says Coach Calvin Betton. “And Zverev has beat him before. If he serves well it’s tough to beat him on a quick surface.”
He’s put the cat among this pigeons, that’s for sure – he’ll be hard to stop from making the semis now
This is lovely.
Preamble
Andrey Rublev is 26, and it’s getting to that time: time to do something proper. In saying that, I absolutely do not mean to denigrate what’s already a fine career, just that he’ll believe he has what it takes to win the big pots and will know that if it doesn’t happen soon, it probably won’t happen at all.
Of course, he’ll want a Slam, but he’d certainly accept an ATP Finals because his main issue is beating players ranked above him when it really matters. So far, he’s reached the last eight of every major, but never better.
However, this last year has been a good one for him, bringing him his first Masters title and Wimbledon quarter. Which is to say he’s on the right track, he just needs to put it all together.
But when your opponent is Daniil Maedvedev, that’s easier said than done. It may be that Rublev’s forehand is the best shot either man has, but Medvedev’s consistency in getting balls back into court, along with his massive serve, means that even on a bad day, he’s still pretty damn good. Which is to say I’ve not a clue how this is going to go; lovely stuff.
Play: 9pm local, 8pm GMT