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

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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.”