Russian tennis player Andrei Rublev talked about his next opponent at St. Petersburg Open, and also told who in the Russian national team plays better in pairs.
– Your next opponent will be the winner of the Botik Van de Sandschulp – Sebastian Korda pair. What can you say about them?
“I don’t know at all the one you named first. I heard about him, of course, I know that Danya played with him in four sets at the US Open, but I can't really imagine his game and, unfortunately, I still can't pronounce his name.
– The statistics on the ATP website say that you played with him in qualifying in 2017 in Rotterdam …
– And that means I lost to him. I remember that match, I remember that I lost to some Dutchman. It turns out that this is it. And about Korda – a very talented young guy, who is now also at the peak of his form, progressing and progressing. We played with him once, it was a tough match. Let's see what happens next.
– A couple with Karen Khachanov at this tournament can be considered as preparation for the Davis Cup?
– No, we didn't discuss it. First, it's too early. Secondly, I think there are only two options for a couple. Although, no, even three … Now I would not say that this is preparation for the Davis Cup. More because we have been playing for many years. One more tournament, one less – no difference. I don't know what the situation will be, how the team will think. For me, in a couple of us all, Karatsev thinks better. Another question is with whom to put it. I don't think it makes a difference anymore whether it will be me or Karen.
Recall that in the second round of the ATP 250 tournament in St. Petersburg, Rublev defeated the representative of Belarus Ilya Ivashko.
- Andrei Rublev: “I didn't believe that I could beat Ivashko, so I'm extremely happy”