Russian tennis player Andrei Rublev shared his emotions after the first match at St. Petersburg Open against the representative of Belarus Ilya Ivashko.
– What problems did Ilya create for you in this fight?
– It was a very tough match. Right from the first game, very long rallies, everything is very nervous, emotional, a very high level of play. For my part, I can say that we played at a very high level – I don't know how Ilya saw it. We, in my opinion, had the score 3: 2 in the first set, and we had been playing for half an hour already – this is an indicator that the struggle is going on very seriously. I had break points, he had break points. The first set was very equal. Just some millimeters have folded in my direction.
– Can we say that you have a somewhat similar style of play?
– No. I would say that we have a completely different style of play. It turned out a lot of long rallies, due to the fact that Ilya moves well, plus plays well on the back line. For me, it was real tennis: it is important where you play the next ball, with what force, how exactly, how you defend. But our style is different. He has a much better left hand – more aggressive than me; I have a better right hand. Plus or minus we serve equally, he moves better than me.
– At the first press conference in St. Petersburg, you said that you do not want to look far ahead, otherwise it will be like in Moscow, where you lost in the opening match. Did you gain confidence after this victory?
– Yes, because, to be honest, I had little confidence that this match would turn out well for me . I am very glad that I was able to win, I was able to show a good level of play. Let's see how things go next.
– This little confidence was associated with the form in which Ivashko is now?
– Yes, that he is in very good shape. We train with him, I see how he plays, how he works, how he thinks. Therefore, yes, I could not believe that I could win, so I am extremely happy.
– What did you say to each other during the handshake, if not a secret?
– I just said: “Ilyukha, you are handsome, to be honest. You play unrealistically, keep up the good work and be generally a top player . “
Recall that the meeting ended in favor of the Russian with a score of 6: 4, 6: 4. Rublev's opponent for the next round will be determined later.
- Rublev reached the quarterfinals of the tournament in St. Petersburg