Erste Bank Open: Andrey Rublev - "I want to reach my limit"
Andrey Rublev is about to win his fifth title this season at the Erste Bank Open. In the final against the surprise man Lorenzo Sonego (live from 2 p.m. on ServusTV), the 23-year-old expects a tough game.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Nov 01, 2020, 10:22 am
By Michael Rothschädl from the Wiener Stadthalle
Hamburg, St. Petersburg - and now Vienna too. Andrey Rublev is about to celebrate his third consecutive ATP 500 title at the Erste Bank Open this week, having won over Norbert Gombos, Jannik Sinner, Dominic Thiem and most recently Kevin Anderson in his fifth final of the season. But this is not a reason for great ecstasy for the Russian, again the 23-year-old was extremely cautious at the press conference: "It was happy today that Kevin was not fit. I hope he will be fit again soon. I'm looking forward to it the final ", was the summary of the semi-final that has just been played.
The quick victories over Jannik Sinner, who had to give up after only three games because of a similar complaint as the one with which Dominic Thiem had to fight against the Russian, and now also against Kevin Anderson are a contributing reason why the fitness despite the busy schedule shouldn't be a problem in the last few weeks. "I feel great, had a few walk-overs in this tournament. I missed tennis a lot, which is why I am really enjoying the time and all the weeks," said Rublev in the press conference after his semi-final success.
Lots of competition from the young guard
Rublev at least cannot rule out whether this understatement - the Russian has repeatedly stressed that he is already more than satisfied with the season without any expectations - could even be the secret of his success: "Everyone does these things differently on, some focus on their good results, some on their bad ones. But I just want to reach my limit, "said the man from Moscow. This would also be needed to keep his colleagues from the younger generation at a distance, especially Jannik Sinner, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov and his two compatriots Khachanov and Medvedev, the 23-year-old sees as his direct competitors. "It's a long way to go to improve. I have to work harder to compete with them."
In the final in Vienna (from 2 p.m., live on ServusTV), Rublev will now face the Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who was able to add another chapter to his sensational run in the Austrian capital on Saturday afternoon. A man for whom Rublev has nothing but praise. "We played against each other in a Challenger a few years ago, but that's not a benchmark. He has developed a lot, has a great forehand and a great serve. He is a very good player," said the Russian. It will be a very tough match in the final. A match he is already looking forward to.
"Great team behind me"
Against the Italian, it could mean a game in which it could be decisive which player can bring his powerful blows from the baseline into scene first. For such players, however, the Russian has quite clear tactics ready: "When I play against a good baseline player, then of course I try to put pressure on me. In general, I always try to be the more active player," said Rublev, but he did could also act a little more patiently, should it go against opponents whose game would require this, against whom he would otherwise make too many mistakes without need. "And sometimes I get tight (note tense), then I also play slower," jokes the 23-year-old.
The hard work, which the Russian always stresses, of having to invest in his game, is now done by Rublev together with a "great team", as he emphasized in the on-court interview. The entourage around trainer Fernando Vicente is doing a "great job", which is why he has been feeling great throughout the season. He has people behind him who would work hard to stand by his side on his way to the top. "I'm not alone."