Andrey Rublev fulfilled his full potential in the season behind us, winning five ATP titles, cracking the top-10 and securing the first ATP Finals berth!
The Moscow native has been on a roll in the opening months of 2021, winning 24 out of 28 matches so far and becoming the ATP Race leader ahead of Novak Djokovic following another notable result in Monte Carlo. After playing in the first Masters 1000 semi-final in Miami, Andrey is through to the first final at this level in Monte Carlo, stunning Rafael Nadal in the quarters and toppling Casper Ruud in the semis.
With 2400 points under his blet in 2021, the Russian has passed Novak Djokovic and became the ATP Race leader, claiming the ATP Cup and Rotterdam titles, reaching the Australian Open quarter-final and the last four in Doha and Miami ahead of this week.
Andrey will face Stefanos Tsitsipas for the first Masters 1000 title on Sunday, securing 600 ATP points and becoming world no. 7 ahead of
Roger Federer. If he wins the title, Rublev will also pass Alexander Zverev and crack the top-6 on Monday's newest ATP ranking list. In today's encounter, Rublev bested Casper Ruud 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 20 minutes, getting broken three times and securing five return games to control the pace and avoid a decider.
The Russian hit 21 winners and 19 unforced errors, overpowering the Norwegian in the shortest range up to four strokes and overcoming the second set loose moments to seal the deal in style. This victory came just a day after that thrilling triumph over the 11-time Monte Carlo winner Rafael Nadal, providing Andrey with a massive boost that he used today.