Andrey Rublev claimed a straight-set victory over Cameron Norrie but afterward insisted that it definitely wasn’t an easy day at the office for him.
Rublev, the ninth-seeded player in the US Open main draw, ousted seventh-seeded Norrie 6-4 6-4 6-4 to progress into his second quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows.
“It was tough, especially when we’ve known each other for a long time,” Rublev said, per the ATP website. “Last time he beat me, so of course I was coming on court thinking I need to give my best, play really well, and I think today I played a good match. Cameron maybe was a bit tired, because in some moments he helped me, but this is the US Open, this is a Grand Slam and everyone is nervous, everyone is tight, everyone wants to win. So this is normal. In the end I was able to win in three sets and I’m super happy.”
Rublev closed out Norrie in straight sets
Rublev earned the first break of the match in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead, before serving out for the first set in the following game.
Then, Rublev got off to a good start to the second set, breaking Norrie in the third game to open a 2-1 lead.
After breaking Norrie early in the second set, Rublev held on to his serve the rest of the set to open a two-set lead.
Up by two sets, Rublev earned the first break of the third set to take a 3-2 lead.
But Norrie refused to quit, breaking back Norrie in the sixth game to tie the third set to three games apiece.
However, blowing a third set break didn’t impact Rublev, who broke Norrie again in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead.
In the 10th game, Rublev served out for his second US Open quarterfinal.
Rublev plays next either Rafael Nadal or Frances Tiafoe.