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Rublev’s Rollercoaster Journey Ends with Dimitrov’s Victory

At just 26 years of age, Andrey Rublev’s journey in his latest match was tumultuous, characterized by frustration that began to manifest early on. His mounting anger became clear when Grigor Dimitrov broke Rublev’s serve, taking a 3-1 lead in the first set.

Rublev’s emotion spilled over in the next game, where he slammed his racket against his shoes, resulting in a cut to his hand. This self-inflicted injury brought him to call for a trainer during the changeover, but despite receiving treatment, he struggled to regain his focus. Rublev’s frustration grew as he failed to capitalize on three break points in the following game, leading to a visibly upset performance.

As Dimitrov served to close out the first set, Rublev’s frustration culminated in a shout at the ground, leaving the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium momentarily shocked by his reaction.

The second set appeared to bring a glimmer of hope as Rublev demonstrated resilience, battling back to hold his serve after facing three break points. However, his momentum faltered after he missed several critical opportunities, including a simple volley, which reignited his anger, echoing throughout the closed stadium.

Despite the frustrations, Rublev managed to secure a break at 5-3 when Dimitrov struggled with errors, notably double faults. However, Rublev’s own mistakes were haunting; he squandered a 30-0 lead while serving for the set, allowing Dimitrov to break back immediately.

The ensuing tie-break showcased Rublev’s inconsistency, as he let slip a 3-1 lead, eventually losing the set after six consecutive winning points for Dimitrov.

As the match progressed into the third set, a shift in Rublev’s mentality appeared evident, which coincided with a decline in Dimitrov’s performance. Rublev began mounting a comeback, capitalizing on Dimitrov’s struggles and grabbing a double break advantage.

The fourth set saw Dimitrov displaying more resilience, yet Rublev ultimately forced a deciding set, reminiscent of his previous match against Arthur Rinderknech.

However, the final set brought a different dynamic as Dimitrov elevated his level of play, while Rublev’s unforced errors began to climb. In a decisive turn, Dimitrov closed out the match emphatically, serving to love. Rublev’s final error—a backhand that landed in the net—sealed Dimitrov’s place in the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam tournament for the eighth time.

Source
www.bbc.com