Excusez-moi, Says Rublev, As He Claims Another French Victim

Andrey Rublev completed a first-week shutout of a trio of Frenchmen Saturday to charge into the fourth round of the US Open.

The World No. 8 rallied from a set down to defeat 28-year-old Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 to reach the second week at Flushing Meadows for the fourth time in the past five years after earlier victories over French duo Arthur Cazaux and Gael Monfils.

“I hadn’t played Arthur before, we hadn’t even practised, so I didn’t know what to expect. I knew he had a huge serve and a really amazing forehand and he goes for the shots, so I knew it was going to be a really tough match and I was happy that I could turn it around and win the match," Rublev said.

Rublev won a healthy 80 per cent of first-serve points and hit 35 winners to 23 unforced errors. He was efficient with his break point opportunities, converting five of his first seven chances before Rinderknech fought off three match points on serve to level at 5-all in the fourth set.

But it would prove to be a temporary reprieve only for the Frenchman, who could not withstand a fourth match point in his next service game.

Improving to 43-17 on the year, Rublev is now one win from a fourth US Open quarter-final and ninth appearance in the last eight at all majors. (He has never reached the semi-finals.) Rublev has won nine straight matches against French opponents since the start of 2022.

Appearing in a Grand Slam third round for the first time, Rinderknech was looking for his first win over a Top 10 player (0-8). Rinderknech made 33 net approaches but was successful on just 20.