Andrey Rublev showcased his resilience and experience on Wednesday at the US Open, battling back from two sets down to defeat Arthur Rinderknech in a marathon match. The final score was 4-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2, securing Rublev’s place in the third round of the tournament.
Despite being a four-time US Open quarter-finalist and having a 2-0 winning record against Rinderknech, the Russian initially struggled to find his rhythm in the sweltering heat on Court 17. The Frenchman, ranked 56th in the world, took advantage of Rublev’s early struggles and broke his serve to take a 2-1 lead in the first set.
Known for his occasional outbursts on the court, Rublev fought back to level the first set at 4-4. However, his serve was broken again in the next game, leading to frustration that saw him smash his racket against the ground.
The second set was a grueling affair, lasting over 80 minutes. Rublev initially gained a 3-1 lead but Rinderknech responded with a break, culminating in a remarkable 37-shot rally that left the Frenchman exhausted. Despite the impressive effort, Rinderknech ultimately won the second set.
The effort appeared to take its toll on Rinderknech, whose performance noticeably dipped in the following sets. In contrast to his aggressive play in the first two sets, which saw him hit 37 winners, he managed just 18 in the final three sets.
Rublev, the sixth seed, capitalized on this shift in momentum. Drawing upon his wealth of experience, he dominated the final three sets to secure victory after four hours and six minutes of intense action. He will now face Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the third round.
