Andrey Rublev Beats Alexei Popyrin In Vienna | ATP Tour

Andrey Rublev rode out a topsy-turvy start to secure a first-round win Tuesday at the Erste Bank Open.

The third seed defeated Alexei Popyrin 7-6(5), 6-4 in Vienna to improve to 10-4 at the ATP 500 event. Rublev led 2-0 and 4-2 in the opening set but he still had to rally from a break down at 4-5 to force a tie-break, which Popyrin at one point led 5/2. The World No. 5 reeled off five straight points to claim the first set, however, before holding firm in the second for a 97-minute triumph.

“I don’t know [how I won the first set],” said Rublev. “I was super lucky, it was my mistake. I was 4-2 up, I had an easy ball and I played it where he was and he passed me. From that moment the match started to change and he was 5-4 up with a break. Somehow I was able to stay there and I was able to turn it around.”

Rublev up and running 💪

2020 champion @AndreyRublev97 gets the better of Popyrin 7-6(5), 6-4@ErsteBankOpen | #erstebankopen pic.twitter.com/O3va2KuTNM

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 24, 2023

Rublev finished the match having converted four of seven break points he earned. The 26-year-old is a five-time ATP 500 titlist, a tally which includes a title run in Vienna in 2020.

Following his win against Popyrin, Rublev is now just one win away from confirming his place at the Nitto ATP Finals. Currently fifth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin, Rublev will seal his spot for the fourth consecutive year at the prestigious season finale by beating Matteo Arnaldi to reach the quarter-finals in Vienna.

“Every match you feel you are one step closer,” said Rublev of his Turin prospects. “Every win, every day. The door is open and I see what is inside, but I am not inside the room yet.”