Rublev Motors Past Monteiro To Reach Third Round
World No. 8 Andrey Rublev stormed into the third round at the Australian Open on Thursday with a strong performance to win 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(8) against Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro inside John Cain Arena.
One of the most in-form players on Tour leading into the first Grand Slam of the year, Rublev has now won six matches in 2021, and dropped only one set in the process. Last week, he helped to steer Russia to its first ATP Cup crown with victories over Yoshihito Nishioka, Guido Pella, Jan-Lennard Struff, and Fabio Fognini.
The Russian kept up the momentum against Monteiro in Melbourne. He found his rhythm early on, and collected himself after a late wobble in the third set to seal the victory in two hours and eight minutes.
Rublev employed his signature arsenal of crunching groundstrokes, changing the direction of the ball at will and firing winners off both wings. Combined with a powerfully effective first serve, Rublev took charge of the points against Monteiro, No. 74 in the FedEx ATP Rankings.
The Brazilian did well to keep himself within touching distance of the No. 7 seed, and occasionally frustrated Rublev with his lefty serve out wide. But once the Russian settled into the match he was able to create his chances, breaking Monteiro once in the first and second set.
Rublev’s serve reached a nearly untouchable level at the start of the second set. He didn’t drop a point in his first three service games, and barely wasted any time as he served out the games to love in a breakneck 60 seconds or less.
He faced more resistance in the final set when Monteiro and Rublev stayed locked on serve. The Brazilian put in a herculean effort to save four break points at 4-4, and Rublev’s calm demeanor suddenly bubbled over in frustration. Monteiro quickly capitalised to open up a 40/0 lead in the next game on the Russian’s serve. But Rublev quickly reigned it in, firing two aces and saving all three set points to keep them on serve.
Both players had a chance to take the third set in the tightly contested tie-break. Rublev saved another set point in the tie break as Monteiro stayed toe-to-toe with him, the Brazilian saving two match points in the process. But Rublev stayed calm under pressure, and eventually prevailed with a strong first serve on his third opportunity to move into the third round.
Rublev awaits the winner of No. 31-seeded Lorenzo Sonego and former World No. 12 Feliciano Lopez in his next match as he seeks to reach the fourth round at the Australian Open for the second year in a row.