Andrey
Rublev came close to securing a spot in the
ATP Finals after defeating Alexei
Popyrin at the Vienna Open by 7-6(5), 6-4.
The World
No. 5 delivered a strong performance in the first round of the ATP 500 Vienna
Open, clinching a significant victory over Australian player Alexei Popyrin
with a score of 7-6(5), 6-4.
Rublev has
displayed remarkable consistency in 2023. Just two weeks ago, he came close to
winning his third title of the year by reaching the final of the Masters 1000
Shanghai Open, though he ultimately fell to Hubert Hurkacz. This time, back in
Europe, Rublev outperformed the Australian, advancing to the round of 16.
The
Russian's triumph puts him in a favorable position to qualify for the ATP
Finals in Turin, scheduled from November 12 to 19. Rublev is currently ranked
5th in the Race, and four players have already secured their spots: Novak
Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Jannik Sinner.
There are
four remaining tickets to Turin, and Rublev is just one match away from
securing his qualification, and he will face the Italian World No. 46, Matteo
Arnaldi. If he wins and advances to the quarterfinals, the Russian will make
his fourth consecutive appearance in the Finals, regardless of the outcome in
the rest of the tournament or the upcoming Paris-Bercy Open, the final Masters
1000 event of the year.
Rublev's
previous performances in the Finals saw him exit in the round-robin stage in
2020 and 2021, and he reached the semi-finals in 2022, only to be eliminated by
Casper Ruud.
The
26-year-old tennis player will return to the court on Thursday, October 26, in
his first encounter with the 22-year-old Arnaldi, who survived a battle against
Albert Ramos Vinolas with a score of 7-6(4), 7-6(2).