Rublev rallies past Sonego as upsets shake up National Bank Open
TORONTO: Sixth seed Andrey Rublev came from behind to defeat Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the third round of the National Bank Open in Toronto on Friday. The Russian, who fired 29 winners including six aces, credited his composure for the win.
“The main thing today, I was able to be mentally really good,” Rublev said. “After the first set, I didn’t go down.”
Rublev will next face Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who upset 12th-seeded Jakub Mensik of Czechia 6-2, 6-4. The Spaniard was clinical on return, winning nearly half of his return points and converting all four break opportunities.
Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka also pulled off a surprise, rallying from a set down to beat 15th-seeded Arthur Fils of France 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 with the help of 12 aces.
Seventh seed Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. edged Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 and will now meet compatriot Alex de Minaur. Meanwhile, Italy’s Flavio Cobolli hit 135 mph on serve during his 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win over Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan.
