Stefanos Tsitsipas lost a heartbreaking match against Andrey Rublev on Friday at the ATP Finals in Turin. The world number 3 was in control of the match for one set and a half. Then he lost the plot when he was broken in the 8th game of the second set. Eventually, Andrey Rublev won 3-6 6-3 6-2. The Russian player is extremely gifted but it is well known that he has only one game style, and that is hitting hard from the back of the court.
“Few tools”
During the press conference that followed the encounter, Stefanos Tsitsipas raised some eyebrows for being extremely blunt. He conceded that his opponent was better than him, but he also said that Andrey did not have many tools in his bag.
“He [Rublev] prevailed with the few tools that he has. He was able to really take advantage of them and win today,” said Tsitsipas.
"He prevailed with the few tools that he has."
Shots fired 😲 pic.twitter.com/zuorMMHI1R
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 18, 2022
Rublev’s reply
Andrey Rublev did not seem pleased with the comment. During his press conference he said:
“I mean, I don’t know if I have few tools or not. If we go shot by shot, I think his backhand is better than mine. His forehand is not better than mine. The speed serve is not better than mine. He’s faster…
Obviously, he’s a better player because he’s higher ranked and he achieved better results. It’s obvious. There is no doubt.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2022
At the moment ranked no.3 (career-high), Stefanos played his last match on the 18th of November when he surrendered to world no.7 Andrey Rublev 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Presently, during this year Stefanos has a composed 59-24 match record. Tsitsipas clinched 2 titles in 2022 in Monte-Carlo and Mallorca. The Greek got to the final in Rotterdam, in Rome, in Cincinnati, in Astana and in Stockholm.
Andrey Rublev in 2022
Currently ranked no.7, the Russian played his last match on the 18th of November when he beat world no.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season Andrey has a 51-19 win-loss record. The Russian clinched 4 titles in 2022 in Marseille, Dubai, Belgrade and Gijon.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev fought against each other 12 times. Their head to head is 6-6. Previously, the last time they competed against each other, Andrey Rublev won 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the round robin in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) on the 18th of November 2022.
Here are the highlights.
