Andrey Rublev hit one of the best shots of the year to help close out Alexander Bublik in a five-set, fourth-round thriller on Sunday at Wimbledon.
Serving at 5-4 in the fifth set with a 30/15 lead, Rublev pushed Bublik deep into the backhand corner. The Kazakhstani responded with a laser-like backhand up the line and an accompanying roar, thinking his shot would be a clean winner.
Rublev stunned Bublik and the Centre Court crowd by hitting a diving forehand squash shot into the open court for a winner. It was a critical moment, since he took a 40/15 advantage rather than allowing Bublik within two points of breaking back.
"That is one of the great shots we've seen here in YEARS!"@AndreyRublev97, take a bow! 😱#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/uEHcbcf1k8
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2023“Probably it was the most lucky shot ever,” Rublev said in his on-court interview. “It just was luck, nothing else. I don’t think that I can do it one more time.”
The highlight-reel shot left even the legendary John McEnroe stunned. Commentating on the match, the former World No. 1 provided high praise for Rublev’s effort: “That is one of the great shots we’ve seen here in years.”