Rublev Overcomes Dzumhur, Rain To Reach Round Of 16

The atmosphere on Court 5 was electric as #NextGenATP Andrey Rublev edged Damir Dzumhur 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to continue his dream run at the US Open.

With the stands overflowing and spectators cramming onto the adjacent concourse, the intimate Court 5 played host to an entertaining third-round encounter between the unseeded Russian and Bosnian. A significant opportunity awaited both competitors, with a maiden Round of 16 berth at a Grand Slam on the line.

The 19-year-old Rublev handled the moment with aplomb, taking the two-hour and 46-minute affair behind 44 winners and nine breaks of serve. Appearing in just his fifth Grand Slam main draw, he will make his second-week debut.

Rublev was without the guidance of coach Fernando Vicente, who left New York for two days to attend his sister's wedding. But the Russian maintained his focus and discipline throughout the four-set encounter, breaking three times in the opener and rallying from 2-4 down in the second. Behind a dazzling defensive display, Dzumhur fought back from an early deficit in the third, but Rublev stayed the course in the fourth.

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The drama boiled over as rain briefly halted play with Rublev serving for the victory at 5-4 15/15. Dzumhur won the next two points to earn a pair of break chances, but Rublev reeled off the last four to secure the win.

"It feels great," said Rublev. "It is the first time I am in the second week of the tournament. This is amazing because we used to joke before about being in the second week and how good it is to be in the second week. Now I'm here. It feels good.

"Today was tough because I know Damir already for many years. I know he's one of the players that is fighting a lot for every point, who has amazing pace. He's running, he's trying to get to all the balls."

With 18-year-old Denis Shapovalov also entering the second week on Friday, it marks the first time multiple teenagers are into the US Open fourth round since Juan Martin del Potro and Kei Nishikori in 2008. Rublev is the first Russian to advance this far in New York since Mikhail Youzhny in 2013.

#NextGenATP In Second Week Of A Grand Slam In 2017

With the win, World No. 53 Rublev is projected to crack the Top 50 of the Emirates ATP Rankings and is further cementing his place among the Top 7 players in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan (with the eighth spot going to the winner of an Italian qualifying event). He entered the week in fifth position.

A coveted quarter-final berth will be on the line when he faces ninth seed David Goffin next. The Belgian advanced when Gael Monfils retired due to a right knee injury at 7-5, 5-1. Goffin is surging into the second week at Flushing Meadows for the first time in six appearances. Despite missing a portion of the season with a leg injury, he is in position to make a run in the Emirates ATP Race To London with a strong finish.

"I'm really happy to be in the second week for the first time here in New York," said Goffin. "It was really special. It's a match against a friend. I know Gaël pretty well and it was not easy to see after the first set he was struggling with his knee, because the first set was with a high quality of tennis.

"So it was a great match in the first set, and in the second, I saw a little bit he was not running 100 per cent, so it was tough to stay focused. I hope his injury is not too serious and he will come back soon on the tour. At the end, I'm happy to be in fourth round for the first time."

This will be the first meeting between Goffin and Rublev.

"I do not have many options," said Rublev about facing Goffin. "If I want to compete against him, to have any chances, I have to try to play my game, to try to play with my rhythm, the way I want it to be. If I will try to play slower or something, I'm going to be dead on the court and I'll have no chance."