Major champions speak of ‘pacing’ themselves for the trials and tribulations of the Grand Slam gauntlet.
World No.8 Andrey Rublev is seeking his own major breakthrough, and has a full tank to tackle the second week at Australian Open 2021.
The Russian’s rocket-fuel game helped him collect five trophies in 2020 – more tour-level titles than any other ATP player – and he has soared into this season in similar fashion.
“I don’t know if it’s my best tennis, but for sure I’m showing great tennis. I was showing a really high-level at the ATP Cup, so let’s see what happens,” said the seventh seed.
“I feel physically great. I haven’t been playing long matches. I’m physically fresh. I’m feeling at full charge for the next rounds.”
The 23-year-old is currently unbeaten in seven matches this season after having helped steer Russia to ATP Cup glory last week alongside Daniil Medvedev with impressive wins over Yoshihito Nishioka, Guido Pella, Jan-Lennard Struff and Fabio Fognini.
Into the Australian Open, Rublev has maintained his reserves for the second week with just five hours and 22 minutes on court in three encounters so far.
He navigated the Grand Slam wisdom of “good friend” Feliciano Lopez 7-5 6-2 6-3 on Saturday to reach the fourth round without dropping a set.
So far in Melbourne, he’s racked up 113 winners and had his serve broken just once.
Calling Rublev red-hot is selling him short.
Having returned to the last 16, a feat achieved at all three Grand Slam events last season, Rublev will take to court against 24th seed Casper Ruud on Monday.
“It's also going to be tough match, and I also have great relationship with Casper. Nice guy, humble,” he said.
“I played him twice in Hamburg (on clay). First time he was set and break up, and somehow I won that match. Last time was really tough match, high intensity, high level, but I managed to win in straight sets.
“It's going to be physical match because he have really great physical power. He can run a lot. He's using forehand really hard. And then it's going to be really tough match. But all of the matches in fourth round is going to be really tough.”
A potential quarterfinal showdown against ATP Cup teammate Medvedev awaits if Rublev can navigate his way past the Norwegian.
At full charge, Rublev will be able to keep unleashing his trademark forehand at full tilt.
It’s a weapon he’s always had in his blazing repertoire, but it continues to stun fans and media alike.
“Yeah, when I was a kid – I was watching a lot Rafa (Nadal), I was watching Marat (Safin), and somehow when I was a kid I was trying to hit big forehand,” he said.
“Of course there was some matches that I was playing a lob until there is no tomorrow. But yeah, when I was feeling great and the match was more or less under control, I was trying to go around and trying to hit forehand, and then it was always with me.”