Google News Photos: Andrey Rublev's absolute devastation after lost set in most heartbreaking way
by DZEVAD MESIC
Andrey Rublev was left extremely disappointed and frustrated after losing the second set to Jannik Sinner in a pretty devastating way as the Russian appeared to be even on the brink of tears.
On Tuesday, world No. 5 Rublev took on Sinner in the Australian Open quarterfinal. For 26-year-old Rublev, it was a very important match as the Russian was hoping to finally reach a Grand Slam semifinal and avoid going 0-10 in his Grand Slam quarterfinals.
After losing the first set to Sinner, Rublev had a 5-1 lead in the second-set tie-break and appeared to be cruising toward tying the match to one set apiece. But then, Rublev suffered a major collapse as Sinner won the next six points to steal the second set and open a two-set lead.
When Rublev got to his chair, he threw an outburst, gesturing toward his team that he blew a 5-1 tie-break lead. Looking at Rublev's eyes, they were teary as it was clear that the 26-year-old was absolutely crushed over losing the second set.
Da quanto ha rimontato Sinner nel tiebreak? Ce lo spiega Rublev pic.twitter.com/YkesvZ9TG5
— Giorgio Spalluto (@GeorgeSpalluto) January 23, 2024
At one point, Rublev even punched the chair in frustration.
Rublev lost to Sinner in three sets
After losing the second set in the most devastating way possible, Rublev didn't manage to bounce back in the third set. Instead, world No. 4 Sinner went on to seal a 6-4 7-6 (5) 6-3 win over Rublev for an Australian Open semifinal spot.
Rublev had a chance to start the match with an early break against Sinner but missed out on two consecutive break points in the fourth game. After not converting any of his opening two break points, Rublev paid the price as he dropped his service in the fifth game. Up by a break, Sinner held on to his serve for the rest of the set to seal the opener.
Early in the second set, Rublev saved two break points in the third game but then also missed out on two break points on Sinner's serve in the fourth game. Break points were seen in the next two games as well as Rublev saved another break point in the fifth game before not realizing his third break point in the following game.
Late in the second set, Rublev faced two break points in the ninth game but managed to save them. After no breaks were seen in the second set, the set had to be resolved in a tie-break. As already mentioned, Rublev started the tie-break with a 5-1 lead before Sinner stormed back to win the next six points and steal the set from Rublev.
After losing the second set in a pretty heartbreaking way, Rublev had a chance to make a strong start to the third set. Unfortunately, the Russian missed out on two break points in the third game.
In the sixth game, Sinner earned the first break of the third set to open a 4-2 lead. Up by two sets and a break, Sinner held on to his serve for the rest of the set to complete a three-set win.
Rublev is now 0-10 in his Grand Slam quarterfinals
Rublev, who made his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2017 US Open, now owns a 0-10 record in his Slam matches played in the last-eight stage. While Rublev has been a consistent player at the Grand Slam over the last several years, he has constantly failed to go a step further and reach a Grand Slam semifinal or final.
Last year, Rublev had a consistent year at the Grand Slam level, making three quarterfinals. But Rublev didn't manage to make it past that stage, losing in the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open quarterfinals last year.
Rublev's 10 Grand Slam QFs losses. Tough.https://t.co/LJJJTWwLVD pic.twitter.com/z9S0HgLFlR
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 23, 2024
Had Rublev managed to capitalize on his second-set tie-break lead against Sinner, he would have been tied to one set apiece with the Italian. But after losing the second set, Rublev found himself in a very difficult position while Sinner's chances of winning the match were pretty high at that point.
After beating Rublev in three sets, Sinner acknowledged that it wasn't an easy match and that winning the second set was one of the key moments of the match for him.
"Yeah, for sure for me was important to have some very key moments of the match, and today were lots of them. Also the breakpoints before coming to the tiebreak and everything," Sinner said.
"So there were a lot of pressure points, which most of the time they went my way, so I'm very happy. But I was prepared for a tough match today. Even if I lose the second, you know, you still have to play some hours on the court.
"Obviously when you win a crucial set like this, it helps a little bit for the third set, but happy that I had some tough moments today. I think I handled it in a good way, in a right way, and hopefully it's gonna help me for the next match."
It remains to be seen if Rublev will manage to make his first Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open in a couple of months.