“No chance”. How did they react to the departure of Rublev from the Australian Open
Russian Andrey Rublev failed to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open, losing in the quarterfinals to Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic. What experts say about the defeat of the first racket of Russia in the tournament – in the selection of “RBC Sport”
Andrey Rublev
(Photo: Getty Images)
Shamil Tarpishchev, President of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF)
“I think the reason for the defeat is the difference in the class of the game: Novak has it higher than Rublev, especially on this surface. It is quite slow, Djokovic can do everything on it in terms of tactics, and Rublev is not everything. Andrey was predictable for Novak. Djokovic had a reserve before hitting, approached the ball earlier, played with a more varied “fan”, which was more problematic for Rublev, so the result was logical. Novak is number one right now in quality of play, despite the leg injury. He plays very smartly, rationally, delivers well. It is very difficult to oppose something against such a game, ”Tarpishchev told RBC Sport.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Olympic tennis champion and former world number one
“The reason for Andrei’s defeat in the quarterfinals is that Djokovic played on the other side. Nothing else. Unfortunately, the opponent is stronger than Andrei, no matter how sad it is to state, but these are realities. But Andrei gave a good tournament. The quarter-final is a good result,” Kafelnikov told RBC Sport.
Elena Vesnina, 2016 Olympic tennis champion
“Djokovic has been amazing. We can say that Novak taught Andrey a master class, showed why he always plays so well at the Australian Open, he has the largest number of titles in Melbourne. Andrey, unfortunately, did not manage to show good tennis, active. He could not get into the game, Novak Djokovic did not give him this opportunity, he showed real class today and practically did not make mistakes, he did not have unforced errors from the word at all. Therefore, Andrei was simply unlucky that Djokovic came out so motivated, ”Vesnina told RBC Sport.
Viktor Yanchuk, Chairman of the International Tennis Federation from the USSR (1983–1990)
“Skill is not enough for Rublev, that’s all. A very simple reason. It is necessary to add in skill and in the class of the game. Djokovic is more varied, more reliable, plays more freely, more widely, he has more weapons. Rublev was better only in power attacks, but there were not so many of them, they could not compensate for shortcomings in skill. Djokovic was clearly superior to Rublev in the game. Everything is natural, ”said Yanchuk to RBC Sport.
Andrey Olkhovsky, the first Russian champion of the Australian Open and Roland Garros in the mixed doubles
“Novak is very good at the moment. It is also worth considering that Rublev played a very difficult previous match. However, in general, Andrei performed very well at the Australian Open, showed a good game. The fact that it did not work out to win Djokovic, one must understand that Novak is now at his best. He gives his all, he plays very confidently, ”Olkhovsky told RBC Sport.
Andrey Chesnokov, winner of seven ATP tournaments
“If you compare Novak’s serve, how he holds his serve. He practically does not lose it in all matches, and if this happens, then this is a sensation. It is worth noting the movement of Novak on the court. There is no place on the court where Djokovic would not be. He gets all the balls. Very tight shots from the back line, excellent court feel. He has it all. Today he plays in heaven, better than anyone. Coupled with amazing form and confidence, it is almost impossible to play and win against such a player. Andrei simply had no chance, ”Chesnokov told RBC Sport.
