Rublev survives from two-sets-to-love down

Andrey Rublev is one of the fiercest competitors on the ATP Tour and on Wednesday, the 26-year-old showed every bit of his fighting spirit by coming back from two-sets-to-love down at the US Open. The sixth seed overcame Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 after four hours and six minutes in gruelling New York conditions.

It was Rublev’s second victory from two-sets-to-love down, having done so in the first round of Roland Garros in 2020 against Sam Querrey.

The 16-time tour-level titlist shifted the momentum of the match by breaking Rinderknech to love in the Frenchman’s opening service game of the third set. In the decider, Rinderknech double faulted down break point at 2-2, deflating his hopes of earning the first Top 10 win of his career.

Rublev, No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings, held the advantage in extended rallies, including a 37-ball exchange in the second set that left Rinderknech lying on the floor, gasping for air as the crowd provided a standing ovation. Rublev improved to 3-0 against Rinderknech in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. He beat the 29-year-old last year at Flushing Meadows and again four weeks ago in Washington.

Rublev will next face Jiri Lehecka, who needed a two-sets-to-love comeback of his own to advance. The Czech beat American qualifier Mitchell Krueger 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. From 6-5 in the opening set, the 32nd seed Lehecka dropped 11 consecutive games and found himself down a break at 0-3 in the third set. Lehecka finished with 67 winners, including 29 aces. Rublev and Lehecka have split their previous four encounters.

37 shot rally madness!!!! ?‍?@usopen | #USOpen
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