Rublev didn't act very fairly, fumes Sonego

Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego has accused Russia’s Andrey Rublev of using unfair means during the recently concluded Moselle Open. The ATP 250 event recently concluded in Metz where France’s Benjamin Bonzi came out on top and lifted the title after beating Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-4.

Italy’s Sonego also participated in the competition but he was knocked out after losing in the round of 16 to Russia’s Rublev in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 7-5. The 29-year-old has recently spoken to UBITennis, where he accused the reigning world number nine of using unfair means to participate in the competition. Sonego was of the opinion that Rublev decided to play in the competition, knowing fully well that he would withdraw if his qualification in the ongoing ATP Finals was confirmed.

“Rublev didn’t act very fairly,” he said. “There are people who go to tournaments to play and to try to do well, people who want to advance. There were some lucky losers waiting to get in, and he took the spot from a lucky loser; he took away my chance to move forward in the tournament when he already knew he wasn’t going to play. It wasn’t very fair or respectful toward me.”

By the look of it, Rublev did participate in the competition, hoping to cement a spot in the ATP Finals, which finally got underway on Sunday in Turin, Italy. When the tournament started, the Moscow-born star was ranked ninth in the ATP Rankings and had a realistic chance of becoming the last player to book a spot in the ATP Finals if he managed to have a good run in Metz. However, his qualification was confirmed when the former world number one Serbia’s Novak Djokovic decided to withdraw from the competition because of a fitness concern.