3 minute read
After an unbeaten start to 2020, Russian rising star Andrey Rublev has upset 11th seed David Goffin in the third round of the Australian Open.
Russian Andrey Rublev looms as an Australian Open dark horse after continuing his unbeaten streak in 2020 with an upset third-round win.
The 22-year-old rising star knocked out Belgian 11th seed David Goffin 2-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 7-6 (7-4) with an accomplished performance on Saturday on Melbourne Arena.
After tournament wins in Doha and Adelaide to start the year, Rublev's hot-form has the potential to cause further havoc at Melbourne Park.
He is the first man since Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty in 2004 to win two lead-up events ahead of the first grand slam of the year.
But the 17th seed is staying level-headed, with his best result at a major being a quarter-final appearance at the 2017 US Open.
"To be honest, I was not even thinking about it, how many matches I win, how many matches I lose," he said.
"It's more in the media. Then you start to think, 'wow, I won 10 matches'.
"Of course, it's amazing that I win that many matches in a row."
Rublev will next play a man whose form heading into the Open was the opposite of his.
After a disastrous ATP Cup, where his serve had deserted him in three-straight losses, German young gun Alexander Zverev is back.
The seventh seed produced a convincing 6-2 6-2 6-4 victory over Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco on Margaret Court Arena.
Zverev is yet to drop a set during the first three rounds at the Open and says he's as "happy as I've ever been on court".
"It was, I think, the best match I've played so far this tournament," he said.
The 22-year-old has pledged to donate all of his prize money towards bushfire relief if he breaks through at Melbourne Park for his first major.
"Normally, I play for myself, the team and my parents; now I play for the people in need," he said.
Switzerland's 15th seed Stan Wawrinka waltzed through to the round of 16 after American John Isner retired from their match.
The 19th seed trailed three-time major winner Wawrinka 6-4 4-1 before pulling the pin out on court three.
Earlier, French 10th seed Gael Monfils defeated Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-3.
Monfils will battle Dominic Thiem next after the Austrian fifth seed took care of American Taylor Fritz 6-2 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4.
"We had great matches already," Thiem said of his next outing.
"(He's) such a great entertaining player, always great rallies against him.
"Even if you play against him on-court, it's nice to see his show.
World No.1 Rafael Nadal demolished fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta to win through to the fourth round.
Nadal didn't face a break point as he wiped Carreno Busta off Rod Laver Arena 6-1 6-2 6-4.
"My best match of the tournament so far without a doubt," Nadal said.
