“Blew Federer off the court,” Nick Kyrgios is all fun in the commentator’s booth reminiscing about Roger Federer’s major 2019 upset against Andrey Rublev

Andrey Rublev's epic win against Roger Federer recalled by 'commentator' Nick Kyrgios as the Russian reaches the quarter-finals of the 2024 Australian Open.

“Blew Federer off the court,” Nick Kyrgios is all fun in the commentator’s booth reminiscing about Roger Federer’s major 2019 upset against Andrey Rublev

Nick Kyrgios, Andrey Rublev, Roger Federer (Credits: Eurosport, ATP Tour, BBC)

World No. 5 and fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev is into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open yet again. Up against local lad Alex de Minaur in the fourth round, the Russian had to stage an epic comeback to move into the last-8. After losing two of the first three sets, things became difficult for the fifth seed.

With the crowd showing support only to de Minaur, Rublev was left all alone to find a way back. But he did it convincingly. After snatching the fourth set, he went ballistic in the fifth dropping a bagel. Rublev entered his third quarter-final at the Australian Open in four years with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-0.

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The clash lasted an epic four hours and 14 minutes with Aussie icon Nick Kyrgios calling the action from behind the mic. The former World No. 13 noted one particular thing that kept Rublev in the tie. It was the Russian’s massive forehand that troubled de Minaur throughout who despite a defensive masterclass couldn’t find any answer.

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Kyrgios also recalled the fifth seed’s epic win against Roger Federer back in 2019 at the Cincinnati Masters. Seeded third, Federer was the favorite for the match against the qualifier Rublev. But it eventually turned out to be the Swiss maestro’s quickest defeat in Cincinnati as Rublev won the match in straight-sets in just 61 minutes. 

I remember watching Federer play Rublev in Cincinnati. I think Rublev was a lucky loser that week and he just blew Federer off the court with that forehand.
commented Kyrgios.

While Kyrgios made the mistake of calling the Russian a lucky loser, it was good to see him jog the memories of the fans. During the course of the match, Kyrgios also imitated the Russian before disclosing his now-incorrect prediction on Daniil Medvedev.

A stern test awaits Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals

In the quarter-finals, Andrey Rublev will now take on fourth-seeded Jannik Sinner. The Italian is into the quarter-final at Melbourne Park for the second time in the last three years. The young gun dislodged Russia’s Karen Khachanov in straight-sets in the fourth round.

Andrey Rublev and Roger Federer
Andrey Rublev and Roger Federer at the 2019 Cincinnati Masters (Credits: Tennis Majors)

Sinner is now the only player left in the draw who is yet to lose a set in the men’s singles. It will be the seventh meeting between Rublev and Sinner with the winner set to reach their maiden semi-final at the Australian Open.

Having lost all of the 9 quarter-finals he has played in, Rublev will be desperate to break the unpleasant streak. Sinner on the other hand has won 1 of the five quarter-finals he has played in the Grand Slam events and will be eager to reach the semis yet again.

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