Rublev. Demon. A dramatic five-set thriller inside RLA 🗣️ #BounceBackwithLifeSpace • #BounceBack @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis
Andrey Rublev lauded by John McEnroe for 'greatest fifth set ever' against Alex de Minaur at Australian Open
ATPTuesday, 23 January 2024 at 00:00
John
McEnroe showered Andrey Rublev with praise after playing the 'greatest fifth
set ever,' according to the former world No. 1. The Russian tennis player had
to come back from a 2-sets-to-1 deficit against the local favorite Alex De
Minaur and reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the tenth time in his
career.
Unfortunately
for Rublev, he currently holds a 0-9 record in quarterfinals, a stage he has
reached in six of his last seven Grand Slam appearances, showcasing his
consistency in major tournaments, despite not yet breaking through beyond this
stage in the draw.
The world
No. 5 made a lasting impression in the fourth round against an inspired Alex De
Minaur, who recently broke into the top-10 for the first time in his career.
With the home crowd rallying behind him, De Minaur posed challenges to Rublev.
However, the Russian showcased his best tennis in the fifth set and sealed the
match with a bagel, winning 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0.
“[It was]
incredible to be here during that match,” John McEnroe said on Eurosport's
coverage. “De Minaur, one of the fastest guys I’ve ever seen on a tennis court,
and Andrey Rublev, who goes after the ball big time. The fact that he was able
to come from two sets to one down and find that extra energy... he was cramping
late in that fifth set, and just going for absolute broke, but everything was
going in.
“That’s one
of the greatest fifth sets I’ve ever seen anyone play, much less Andrey Rublev,
so maybe he can get over the hump. He’s 0-9 in the quarters [at Grand Slams] so
maybe it will be 10th time lucky, he sure as hell deserves it after that
performance tonight.
“That was
one of the all-time efforts, he dug deeper than I’ve ever seen. He wears his
emotions on his sleeve, the fuse is lit and he’s going to go nuts and I can
totally relate to that, I know what he’s feeling.”
“I was
actually really impressed with the third set that he kept his cool and that he
was able to bounce back and get that lead in the fourth. And then he let it all
hang out in the fifth,” he said.
“Considering
the situation I thought both guys played really well. And Rublev is going to
remember that fifth set for a really long time.”
“Unfortunately,
he’s got to play one of the hottest guys on the tour right now, so it’s a very
tall order right now to ask Rublev to get to his first Slam semi,” 7-times
Grand Slam champion said. said.
“But what
an effort, I’ve known him since he was a kid - he’s always brought it, always
had a lot of energy, he’s very well liked in the locker room, a lot of respect
from the other players.”
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