A five-set thriller between Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev was worthy of a spectacular conclusion.
And that is exactly what it delivered on Sunday afternoon.
With their Wimbledon fourth-round match still in the balance as Rublev served for it at 5-4, 30-15 in the fifth, Bublik blasted a backhand down the line that seemed destined to be a clean winner. But instead of being the final shot of a long baseline rally, it turned out to be the penultimate one. In improbable fashion, Rublev not only retrieved his opponent’s backhand in diving fashion but also made the ensuing forehand squash shot for a hard-to-believe winner of his own.
It left Bublik–and the fans–in shock and awe.
It also left Rublev one point from victory, which he immediately clinched with his 21st ace of the match to prevail 7-5, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-7(5), 6-4 after three hours and 17 minutes.
“That is one of the great shots we have seen here in years,” John McEnroe said in the commentary booth.
“I think you’ve just hit one of the most extraordinary shots the tennis world has ever seen,” Annabel Croft told Rublev during the on-court interview.
“Probably it was the most lucky shot ever,” Rublev responded.
“The feeling that at least I have one amazing point in my career,” the world No. 7 joked at his post-match press conference when asked about how it felt watching the point back on replay. “But the feeling is that obviously all my life I didn’t know how to dive. I was couple of times in the past years thinking, ‘Oh, now on grass, at least try in practice; try without the ball to do it.’ I couldn’t. I was too scared.
“Then in the match (on Friday) against (David) Goffin, I don’t know, somehow it came natural. I did a real dive. Then today was this one–I don’t know, (a) one-leg dive; something. I don’t know how you can call it.
“I don’t know how I made it. I didn’t even see the ball; I didn’t even see how I hit it. I didn’t even see how it went. I realized it after when the people started to scream and I see the face of Sascha, then I realize that I made it somehow.”
In total, Rublev and Bublik made a combined 120 winners–67 of which came from the big-serving Kazakh, 39 of the 67 being aces. Rublev finished with 32 more winners than unforced errors.
One year after being banned from Wimbledon along with the entire contingent of Russian players, Rublev now finds himself in the quarterfinals for the first time in his career at the All-England Club. The 25-year-old will be playing in his eighth major quarterfinal overall against either Novak Djokovic or Hubert Hurkacz and is still seeking a first-ever semifinal berth.
great match
I wouldn’t call that shit if the year or even shot of the tournament.
Lehechas hit a short forehand on the run that was better than that. Tommy Paul hit a great cross court forehand they was better and Dimitrov hit a flat single backhanded bunt backhand to get the early break against Tiafoe that was better.
How many Americans are left in the draw?
I wouldn’t call that shot of the year or even shot of the tournament.
Lehecka hit a short forehand on the run that was better than that. Tommy Paul hit a great cross court forehand on the run that was better and Dimitrov hit a flat single-handed bunt backhand to get the early break against Tiafoe that was better.
You gut lucky with that prediction and you know it. Bublik played the worst 2 sets of the past month. How does anyone predict that.
Lehecka completely outplayed Paul for 2 sets so there was no luck there….and you know it.
Not only “how does anyone predict that,” but is there any statistical significance in making those types of predictions? I beg to differ. So, while it may look like you got the revenge call right, that wasn’t the main reason why you got the correct result. In my opinion, Bublik turned up with the wrong mindset and didn’t handle the center court well until he faced imminent defeat. The revenge factor probably gave Rublev the will to fight in the 5th set when most players would’ve capitulated after dropping sets 3 and 4.
Also, don’t judge whether you like what I say; judge based on the truth of what I’m saying.
My predictions and odds mispricings are made in good faith to help others and show how the odds are wrong, not to be competitive or undermine your predictions.
No Aussies left in draw either. Such a mighty tennis playing nation…..once.