Andrey Rublev reacts to ousting Cameron Norrie at US Open

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.Ā 

ā€œIt was tough, especially when weā€™ve known each other for a long time,ā€ Rublev said, per the ATP website. ā€œLast 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 Iā€™m super happy.ā€

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.Ā 

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.