Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev seem to be in pole position to win the ATP500 in Rotterdam after the unforeseen losses of Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev.

Both Medvedev and Zverev lost in their opening match and in straight sets, even if they were the top favorites. Sascha Zverev was opposed to Alexander Bublik that was coming straight from Singapore, where he reached the final playing in completely different conditions.  Bublik was also 1 break down in both sets before winning 7-5 6-3. It’s interesting to notice that Bublik broke Zverev 4 times in 2 sets, which is quite unusual for him.

Medvedev and the world no.2 rank

Daniil Medvedev had to “just” reach the final to become the new world no.2. That would have been the first time that a person that is not a Big4 was in the second place in the rankings since 2005 (Lleyton Hewitt). This target was considered as completely achievable until Medvedev lost in straight sets to Dusan Lajovic. Daniil had a rather erratic behavior during the match, alternating moments of rage with quite silly shots.

Tsitsipas and Rublev

At this point, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev seem to be the hot favorites to win this ATP500. Both are in the lower part of the draw, and therefore they may clash in the semifinal. However, everything is possible right now and Rublev has to face Andy Murray in his next match.

Tsitsipas in Rotterdam, ranking, and results in 2021

Currently ranked no.6, Tsitsipas has an overall 7-1 win-loss record in 2021. Stefanos is playing at the moment in Rotterdam where he beat Egor Gerasimov 7-64 7-5.

Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on Hurkacz in the 2nd round. Their record is 5-1 for Tsitsipas.

Tsitsipas won 5 titles in his career: 1 on clay courts and 4 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)

Rublev in Rotterdam, ranking, and results in 2021

Currently ranked no.8 (career-high), Andrey achieved an overall 9-1 win-loss record in 2021. The Russian is now competing in Rotterdam where he bested Marcos Giron 7-61 6-3.

Andrey Rublev will compete against Murray in the 2nd round. Their current record is 1-0 for Murray.

The Russian won 7 titles in his career: 2 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 3 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev faced off 5 times. Their current record is 3-2 for Tsitsipas. Previously, the last time when they competed against each other, Stefanos Tsitsipas won 6-1 4-6 7-6(6) in the round robin in London (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2020.

In the video below you can watch the highlights.

Daniil Medvedev in 2021

Ranked world no.3 (career-high), Medvedev played his last match on the 3rd of March when he capitulated to Dusan Lajovic 7-6(4) 6-4 in the 1st round in Rotterdam (draw).

Currently, during this season the Russian has a 10-2 record. Daniil Medvedev’s most significant accomplishment of the present year was getting to the final at the Australian Open.

Alexander Zverev in 2021

Now ranked no.7, Zverev played his last match on the 3rd of March when he surrendered to Alexander Bublik 7-5 6-3 in the 1st round in Rotterdam (draw).

During this season Alexander has a 5-4 match record.

Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev played each other 9 times. The head to head is 5-4 for Zverev. Previously, the last time they locked horns, Daniil Medvedev won 3-6 6-3 7-5 in the semifinal in Melbourne (ATP Cup) on the 6th of February 2021.

You can watch the highlights in the following video.