Andrey Rublev to face Daniil Medvedev as Russians make history at Australian Open | Tennis News – Times of India

MELBOURNE: Andrey Rublev ensured Grand Slam history can be made for Russia after establishing an Australian Open quarter-last in opposition to compatriot Daniil Medvedev on Monday.
With qualifier Aslan Karatsev already by way of to face Grigor Dimitrov within the high half of the draw, it means there can be three Russian males within the final eight of a Slam for the primary time for the reason that Open period started in 1968.
Fourth seed Medvedev prolonged his win streak to 18 matches Monday when he took simply 89 minutes to blow away Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 and attain the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
World quantity eight Rublev adopted Medvedev onto Margaret Court Arena and was again within the locker room even faster, as Norway’s Casper Ruud retired with the scores at 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).
“At least one of us will be in the semi-finals. So it’s good news but yeah, it’s going to be a tough match,” stated Rublev after his quick exercise in opposition to the twenty fourth seed, who had acquired therapy for an damage halfway by way of the second set.
“Last time he beat me in the quarters in the US Open. So now we’re in the quarters in the Australian Open, so we’ll see what’s going to happen.”
Rublev additionally reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros final yr in a breakthrough season that noticed him win 5 ATP Tour titles, greater than some other participant.
He received 41 matches, equal with world primary Novak Djokovic as the very best in 2020, and began 2021 on an eight-match streak after successful all 4 of his singles to assist Russia win the ATP Cup, alongside Medvedev.
Fourth seed Medvedev’s greatest Grand Slam efficiency to date was reaching the ultimate at the 2019 US Open.
His unbeaten run dates again to November and contains titles at the Paris 1000, the ATP Finals in London and the ATP Cup.
But Medvedev stated the Russian pair, each in maiden Australian Open quarter-finals, would push their friendship apart on Wednesday after they intention for the final 4.
“It’s our job — of course during the match we’re going to try to win, fight for our best,” stated Medvedev.
“You never know. Sometimes you can maybe… argue on the court or something because we’re competitors.
“After the match we’re nice pals.”
The final Russian man to win a Grand Slam was Marat Safin at Melbourne Park in 2005.