NEW YORK : Andrey Rublev dispatched the last Briton Jack Draper 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals and then go back to the drawing board to figure out a way to clear the next hurdle.
Getting to the last eight is nothing new for the Russian, who has now made it to the quarters of a Grand Slam nine times but on each occasion so far that is where his journey has ended.Rublev has run into a quarter-final brick wall at three U.S.
Opens, tripped up by Rafa Nadal in 2017, Daniil Medvedev in 2020 and Frances Tiafoe in 2022.Compatriot Medvedev could again be the obstacle he needs to navigate with the 2021 U.S.
Open champion taking on Australian Alex De Minaur later on Monday for a quarter-final spot."I don't want to think about my game, to be honest, because I feel I'm playing well, and that's the most important thing," said Rublev. "That's why I don't want to pay attention to the game and to put extra pressure on me."I feel the ball well.