After he got broken in the third and final set of his US Open quarterfinals match against home favorite Frances Tiafoe, Andrey Rublev had an emotional reaction while sitting on his chair, knowing that it will be hard to come back in the match at that point (7-6, 7-6, 4-3).
The Russian player bit a tennis ball and covered his sorrowful face with a towel to hide his emotions. Social media creator Bastien Fachan shared the moment on Twitter, writing: “Heartbreaking to see Rublev like this.
It’s been an incredibly challenging year for him on/off court – remember when he signed the camera lens with ‘No war please’ in Dubai in February – and I reckon he needs to just call it a season. Mental health matters”.
Heartbreaking to see Rublev like this
It’s been an incredibly challenging year for him on/off court – remember when he signed the camera lens with ‘No war please’ in Dubai in February – and I reckon he needs to just call it a season
Mental health matters pic.twitter.com/KesqsL1VJQ — Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) September 7, 2022
How did Tiafoe beat Rublev
Frances Tiafoe, the home favorite, is on a mission at his beloved US Open.
To advance to his first Major semi-final, the American dropped just one set against Marcos Giron, Jason Kubler, Diego Schwartzman, Rafael Nadal, and Andrey Rublev. As a result, Tiafoe became the first American to reach the final four of his home Major since Andy Roddick in 2006!
Frances faced Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals and won 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 in two hours and 36 minutes to keep his title hopes alive and set up a showdown with Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz. Tiafoe blasted 18 aces and played better behind the first and second serve.
The American took 21 points more than the Russian and defended all four break points. Rublev gave his best to stay in touch and prolong the battle. He fell in the opening two sets in the tie break and experienced a lone break in the third to propel Tiafoe through despite giving his everything.
Read more about how the match unfolded in our article: US Open: Inspired Frances Tiafoe downs Andrey Rublev and writes history Tiafoe will meet Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner in the semifinals.
