As we wrote in our Hong Kong Open ATP predictions, Andrey Rublev wins the Hong Kong Open title in pretty straightforward fashion.
Rublev was the title favorite and delivered. In these scenarios, he usually does. It’s when he is up against other top ten players that it can get dicey and negative. But his level is remarkably stable as the stats will tell you. The Hong Kong Open title is his 15th tour title.
In the Hong Kong Open final, he defeated Emil Ruusuuvuori 6-4 6-4. He did have some tough matches in the tournament before that and was pushed to three sets against up-and-coming players Arthur Fils and Shang Juncheng.
“It is a great feeling. I enjoyed my week a lot here. It is a great feeling to start the season with the title. I liked the city, the tournament and I played good tennis.”
“I played a good level of tennis the whole tournament. I think I played a high level in the final. It will give me more confidence for Australian Open.”
Andrey Rublev
What does this mean for Rublev’s chances at the Australian Open?
Andrey Rublev wins the Hong Kong Open and judging by his standard of tennis, Rublev should be able to compete for the title and at least be predicted to reach a semi-final spot. But Rublev has an issue at the Grand Slams. He has reached the quarter-final stage a total of nine times but has never gone beyond it. This starts to develop scar tissue and you start to wonder if he can ever get passed this stage.
He will, of course, at one point do that. Losing to Medvedev at the US Open quarter-finals 2023 is not under-delivering. With the right draw and opponent, Rublev can go passed that stage and perhaps even further than that.
It’s unlikely that he will win the Australian Open. But I believe this is the time he passes the quarter-finals. He is ready :)
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