Criticism of the selection of friends and the duel with the defending champion. Despite the difficulties, Rubljov faces the final in Bastad

The ATP carousel continues after Wimbledon with several clay tournaments. Andrey Rubljov is doing great on this surface this year. But he has to deal with a mix of problems at the tournament in Bastad, Sweden. Why do critics think he should choose his friends better?

Andrei Rubljov is doing great on clay this year. He has won 17 of his 21 matches on this surface so far. In April, he dominated the clay event in Monte Carlo. Perhaps the only minor blemish was his relatively early elimination from the French Open.

There aren’t too many clay tournaments left on this year’s ATP calendar, but this week Rubljov grabbed the opportunity to record one more success on this surface. He will play the final at the Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden.

Criticism

The course of the tournament brought the Russian two interesting duels. In the quarter-finals, he got past Alexander Zverev rather smoothly. He defeated the former world number two 6: 2, 6: 3. A lot of feedback was caused by what Rublyov said after the match.

“It’s always hard to play against your best friend,” he said on the court after his winning match. The best friend in question, however, is facing battery charges for the second time.

Zverev was first accused of the crime two years ago by his ex-girlfriend Olga Sharypova and this year by another ex-partner, Brenda Pate. With the latter, the German tennis player has a daughter.

Rubljov is criticized by many fans. He is advised to choose better friends especially best friends.

An epic duel

The following match has already attracted attention for the purely tennis side of things. Rubljov played a high quality match against the defending champion Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina.

The winner of the opening two sets was decided by shortened games, both of which were very even. The Russian managed the first one better, while the Argentine was happy in the second. The deciding set was even until 3:3, after which Rubljov won 6:3 thanks to two breaks.

In the end ..

In the final, the Russian tennis player will face the finalist of this year’s French Open, Nor Ruud. He feels like a fish out of water here in his almost home environment. He hasn’t lost a set in the tournament so far.

Both tennis players are excellent on clay and the final promises to be an interesting spectacle. Let’s hope that its course will arouse more interest than who one of the players calls his best friend.

Source: Nordea Open, Sportskeeda, CTK