Second-seeded Andrey Rublev claimed a straight-set victory over Ricardas Berankis in Hamburg but after claimed the Lithuanian was a tricky player to play against. On Wednesday, Rublev saw off lucky loser Berankis 6-3 6-4 to progress into the Hamburg last-16.
“I am happy with my performance. Ricardas is a really tough player. He hits the ball really hard and plays fast, so I had to bring intensity from the first game,” Rublev said in his on-court interview, per the ATP website.
“I am really happy with how I was serving today and I hit some great shots from the baseline. The game he broke me in the second set he played really well. He returned really aggressively and I don’t think I made one first serve.
But then I kept [my] focus and broke him straight away again”.
Rublev ousted Berankis in straight sets
Rublev got off to a good start, claiming the first break of the match in the fourth game to open a 3-1 lead. After earning the first break of the match, Rublev faced three consecutive break points in the fifth game but was able to save them and open a 4-1 lead.
In the eighth game on Berankis’ serve, Rublev missed out on three set points as Berankis cut the deficit to 5-3. However, blowing three set points didn’t impact Rublev, who served out for the first set in the ninth game.
After winning the first set, Rublev broke Berankis in the opening game of the second set. Down a set and a break, Berankis refused to quit as he broke back Rublev in the sixth game to tie the second set to three games apiece.
Just when it seemed Berankis might win the second set and force a decider, Rublev claimed another break to open a 5-4 lead. In the 10th game, Rublev routinely served out for the match. In the Hamburg last-16, Rublev plays Francisco Cerundolo – who won Bastad last week.
