Andrey Rublev faced a rollercoaster of emotions in his Australian Open first-round encounter against Thiago Seyboth Wild, reminiscent of his friend Daniil Medvedev’s challenging match against the Brazilian at the French Open last year.
After squandering four match points in the fifth set, Rublev found himself trailing 5-2 in the tiebreaker. However, he mounted a remarkable comeback, winning eight of the next nine points to secure a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (6) victory.
The match echoed Medvedev’s past struggles against Seyboth Wild, who had caused an upset at Roland Garros the previous year. Rublev, acknowledging the parallels, admitted feeling the momentum slipping away before regaining his composure.
“To be honest, I felt like it was going the same way as Daniil’s match at the French Open. Thiago is super dangerous and talented, hitting the ball with incredible power and precision,” Rublev remarked after the intense battle.
The fifth-seeded Russian’s ability to relax and go for broke in crucial moments proved to be the turning point, culminating in a dramatic victory. After the final point, Rublev’s jubilant celebration reflected the significance of overcoming a resilient opponent.
In a post-match embrace, Rublev and Seyboth Wild acknowledged the intensity of their battle, highlighting the sportsmanship and camaraderie that define the spirit of tennis. The victory marked a memorable moment for Rublev, who expressed his determination not to forget this hard-fought triumph against a formidable opponent on the grand stage of the Australian Open.