Stat of the Day: Rublev stuns Nadal to tie biggest win

By John Berkok Apr 16, 2021
Style Points

Emma Raducanu carries BJK Cup momentum—and Team GB's lucky bracelet—into Stuttgart quarterfinals

By Baseline Staff Apr 18, 2024
Style Points

As inseams get higher, Aryna Sabalenka, Stefanos Tsitsipas lead the Great Shorts Debate 🩳

By David Kane Apr 18, 2024
Travel

Destination Tennis: USTA National Campus

By Megan Fernandez Apr 18, 2024
Style Points

Look of the Week: Zendaya aces two looks for Challengers premiere, Venus, Genie & more hit LA red carpet

By Baseline Staff Apr 17, 2024
Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios

Naomi Osaka reflects on the lessons of her past, the reality of her present and hopes for the future

By Baseline Staff Apr 17, 2024
Social

“Lucky charm” Ons Jabeur snaps five-match losing streak in Stuttgart

By Baseline Staff Apr 17, 2024
Pop Culture

Zendaya wants to meet Coco Gauff, while her grandma is 'so excited' for 'Challengers'

By Baseline Staff Apr 17, 2024
The Business of Tennis

Serena Williams open to owning WNBA team, calls women’s sport “overly safe bet”

By Baseline Staff Apr 16, 2024
Your Game

Tales from the stringing room: Strange requests, racing against the clock and more

By Jon Levey Apr 16, 2024

Stat of the Day: Rublev stuns Nadal to tie biggest win

The No. 8-ranked Russian now has four career wins over No. 3s.

ByJohn Berkok

Published Apr 16, 2021

Each day of the week we'll highlight one of the most intriguing numbers or stats of the day...

Advertising

Helped by 23 winners—including 18 off his monstrous forehand—Andrey Rublev busted through the wall that is Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of Monte Carlo on Friday, originally leading 6-2, 4-2 but eventually closing him out, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, and ending his quest for a 12th career title at the event.

Rublev’s win over the No. 3-ranked Nadal was the equal-biggest win of his career. He had three previous wins over No. 3s, one over Roger Federer in 2019 (in the third round of Cincinnati) and two against Dominic Thiem in the fall of 2020 (in the Vienna quarterfinals and the ATP Finals round robin).

After his win over Nadal, Rublev had nothing but kind words: “I cannot imagine to be 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’s incredibly tough every time, and I’m in shock the way he plays under this pressure.

“That’s why he’s a legend. It’s easy to play when you have nothing to expect, but in his position, when you’re winning years and years on clay courts, and he’s doing this every time, it’s just amazing.”