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Andrey Rublev ATP Finals 2020
Rafa Nadal, Tennis News

Andrey Rublev says he is ‘in shock’ after scoring clay win over Rafael Nadal


Andrey Rublev says he ‘doesn’t even know what to say’ after becoming only the fifth man to beat Rafael Nadal in Monte-Carlo.

Nadal has won more titles that anyone in Monte-Carlo, but he was second best to Rublev throughout.

Rublev now joins Novak Djokovic, Fabio Fognini, David Ferrer, and Guillermo Coria as the only men to have beaten Nadal in the tournament.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Rublev said after securing a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 win.

“I cannot imagine being in the situation of Rafa, knowing that you are the best player on clay and you have that pressure every time.

“I think for him it must be incredibly tough every time. I am in shock [with] the way he is playing under this pressure and that is why he is a legend.”

Rublev plays Casper Ruud in the semi-final after the Norwegian got the better of defending champion Fabio Fognini.

“[Casper] is playing really well.” Andrey Rublev said. “I have known him [for a] long time. “He is an amazing player and every match against him was a dramatic match.

“We had really great rallies and a really great level of tennis. It is going to be super tough.

“He is in great shape now. He finished today much earlier [than me]. We will see what is going to happen tomorrow.

“I will try to recover as best as I can and to do my best tomorrow.”


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Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.