Andrey Rublev defeats Holger Rune in Aus Open instant classic

Tennis fans have been treated to some epic contests at the Australian Open, but nothing compares to what unfolded Monday.

Rune blew it. Pic: Michael Klein

Never-say-die fifth seed Andrey Rublev saved two match points to topple Danish teen Holger Rune in a tense five-set clash on Monday, booking his place in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

In a battle of two former junior world number ones, the Russian broke when Rune was serving for the match, then saved two match points before winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (11/9) in sapping heat on Rod Laver Arena.

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He will face either nine-time champion Novak Djokovic, who is struggling with a hamstring injury, or Australian hope Alex de Minaur for a place in the semi-finals.

The victory put the 25-year-old into the Melbourne quarter-finals for a second time and for a seventh time at Grand Slams.

Despite being world number six Rublev, who has won 13 ATP titles, has never been further.

“It’s not like a rollercoaster, it’s like they put a gun to your head. A rollercoaster is easier,” said the exhausted Russian after the 3hrs 37mins epic.

Emotion came pouring out. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP)

“I think I was never able to win matches like this and this was the first time ever that I won something like this to be in the quarter-final.

“I was 5-2 down in the fifth, at 6-5 two match points and then 7-3 (behind) on a super tie-break. I have no words, I’m shaking.” With both players less-than-clinical on serve, Rublev broke the Dane with a forehand winner to take a 4-2 grip in the first set.

But Rune’s returns helped create chances and he broke straight back when Rublev played into the net from the baseline.

A Rune double-fault immediately handed the advantage back to his opponent and this time Rublev made no mistakes in serving out the set in 37 minutes.

Undaunted, Rune clung on in a seesawing 12-minute opening game in set two and turned the tables to break Rublev for a 3-1 lead, which he never relinquished.

Rublev won the epic thriller. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

With the sun blazing down, Rublev pounced in the sixth game of the next set, opening up three break point opportunities and he made the most of them.

Down two sets to one, Rune called a trainer for what appeared to be a blood pressure test, but unperturbed got back to work and broke for 4-2 and took it to a fifth.

In a battle of attrition, Rune ground down Rublev to move to 5-2 in the decider, but he failed to serve out for the match.

Rublev then saved two match points to take it to the 10-point tie-breaker, where he bounced back from 7-3 down for a gutsy win.

That dead netcord on match point.

I just CANNOT BELIEVE this match. lol

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 23, 2023

Absolutely incredible stuff. Gutted for Rune but gotta give credit to Rublev for the fight https://t.co/RlFYuL4AZT

— Lexis Bill (@lexisbill) January 23, 2023

From 0-5 down in the fifth set tiebreak, Andrey Rublev steels himself and steals the win from the jaws of defeat, finishing with a completely lucky dead netcord to beat Holger Rune.

6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(9).

Wild ride.#AusOpen

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 23, 2023

YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 23, 2023