It had been highlighted as one of the potential upsets in the first round. Kevin Anderson knew he had to be at his best to overcome the exciting and fearless rising star, Andrey Rublev, and he was pushed all the way to four sets. Participating in his first main draw of a Grand Slam, the Russian was anything but fazed by the prospect of taking on the number 14 seed.
The big serving South African put in a commanding performance in the first to edge Rublev in the tie break. The former junior world number one hit back in the second and took advantage of a couple of double faults by Anderson in the tie break to level things up at a set all. Rublev’s celebrations matched the standard of his tennis, as he stood on the baseline with arms wide open, showing self-belief bordering on arrogance.
The 17 year old started dictating play in the third set with huge ground strokes which already helped him to big wins this season over Verdasco in Barcelona and Andujar in the Davis Cup. Anderson was reeling and managed to dig in by saving a break point in the opening game and then again at 2-2. Then at 4-5 it was Rublev’s turn to save a couple of break points which, given the scoreline, had the added pressure of also being set points. The Russian exploded on many occasions when missing shots, almost pulling his hair out, and was incapable of masking his feelings on court. Something to be expected in a 17 year old but which could turn against him in the future. In the end Rublev saved his service game and reacted once more with his arms wide open to the delight of the American crowd. The tide was turning though and Anderson finally broke Rublev at 5-6 to take the set and the Muscovite made his way to his chair, visibly unpleased with himself.
Anderson dealt a huge and almost definite blow by breaking to go up 3-1 in the fourth set with a brilliant backhand down the line on the run. In the following game he let the door open ever so slightly at 0-30 but swiftly shut it with some huge serving, as Rublev banged his head against it in frustration. Anderson didn’t look back and closed the match 7-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3. The seasoned veteran moved on but the future belongs to Rublev who will have much longer stays in the Big Apple in the future.
