ATP Vienna: Andrey Rublev downs Lorenzo Sonego to overcome Novak Djokovic

The 23-year-old Andrey Rublev has been one of the players to beat since the season restart, winning three consecutive ATP 500 titles! Andrey has won 39 matches in 2020 to lead the field alongside Novak Djokovic, passing the Serb as the only player with five ATP titles this year. On Sunday, an in-form Russian toppled a lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 18 minutes, winning 19th of the last 20 matches and securing the ATP Finals berth for the first time in a career. Andrey needed only seven complete sets to wrap up the seventh title in a career, with Jannik Sinner and Kevin Anderson retiring against the Russian, who had more than enough energy for Sonego in the final clash. The Italian entered the main draw as a lucky loser and stunned world no. 1 Novak Djokovic in the quarters, dropping only three games and beating Daniel Evans in the semis to advance into the second ATP final.

Like many times this season, it was a mighty impressive performance from the Moscow native, losing nine points behind the initial shot and fending off two break chances to mount the pressure on the other side of the net. Dominating with his serve and forehand, Rublev fired 23 winners and 13 unforced errors, leaving the Italian on 13 winners and 17 mistakes and having the upper hand for another notable result in what has been a stellar season for him. Sonego held with a service winner in the first game for a promising start before Rublev held with three winners in game two to level the score. Another unreturned serve pushed Lorenzo 2-1 in front, and the Russian responded with a forehand winner for another hold at love and 2-2.

Andrey Rublev lifted the fifth ATP crown in Vienna.

The opening set's crucial moment came in game five when Lorenzo sprayed a forehand error, losing serve and sending the opponent 3-2 ahead. Andrey held at love for the third time with a smash winner, forging a 4-2 advantage and opening a 5-3 gap with a forehand drive-volley winner.

Serving for the set at 5-4, Rublev fended off two break points with strong attacks and forced Lorenzo's error to wrap up the opener in 36 minutes. Carried by this momentum, Andrey lost five points behind the initial shot in set number two, challenging the rival to repeat that if he wanted to stay in contention. Raising his level, Sonego stayed in touch in the first eight games, serving well to reach 4-4. Andrey stayed focused and grabbed a break in game nine when the Italian sprayed a backhand error, moving in front and serving for the title at 5-4. With no sign of nerves, Rublev fired four winners in game ten, sealing the deal in style and making an already impressive season an even better one. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2TGce34