Fifth seed Andrey Rublev got the better of Alex de Minaur in five gruelling sets to shatter home hopes and make his second successive Australian Open quarter-final on Sunday.
The Russian wore down the 10th-seeded Australian 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-0 over a draining four hours and 14 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
It brought up his 300th Tour-level win and thrust him into a difficult clash with in-form Italian fourth seed Jannik Sinner for a place in the semi-finals.
“An amazing match from Alex,” said Rublev, who has made nine previous Slam quarter-finals but never gone further.
“When you play four hours with long rallies, of course I start to feel a bit of pain but it’s normal after four hours with intensity like this. I was just trying not to think about it. I was just trying to push myself. Don’t cry, don’t start to feel sorry to yourself, keep fighting and then we’ll see what’s going to happen,” he added.
When asked about beinf emotional on the court, Rublev said: “It’s better not to be inside my head during the match. It’s like a scary movie!”
He always had the will, he just had to find the way!@AndreyRublev97 comes from a set down to rattle home and into the last eight.The No.5 seed defeats Alex De Minaur 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0#AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/h0dBeEmici
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2024
Rublev was the sharper of the two in the opening set, achieving the crucial break in game four.
A 73-minute second set proved much tighter and they went toe-to-toe into a tense tie-break, where the roaring crowd got De Minaur over the line.
The players exchanged breaks in set three before that too went to a tie-break, when De Minaur was again lifted by his fans.
They exchanged early breaks in the fourth set but this time Rublev won the mental battle.
As the Australian began tiring, Rublev put his foot to the floor in the fifth set.
Rublev will be looking to convert his 10th Grand Slam quarter-final into his first major semi-final when he meets fourth seed Jannik Sinner next.
“Jannik has had an unreal season last year and already amazing results this year. He beat me last time so, I don’t know what to say. It looks like I’m in trouble! I will just do my best and we’ll see what’s going to happen,” he said.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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