Andrey Rublev struggled to get through his round-of-16 match at the 2026 Nordea Open, and one might have logically assumed his quarterfinal match against Sebastian Baez, a clay-court specialist, would be far more difficult. It wasn't.
–>
Andrey Rublev struggled to get through his round-of-16 match at the 2026 Nordea Open, and one might have logically assumed his quarterfinal match against Sebastian Baez, a clay-court specialist, would be far more difficult. It wasn’t.
<!–qv q:id=61 q:key=vcaa:
Rublev, a 2023 winner at the tournament in Bastad, Sweden, played with elite precision, seemingly taking advantage of any chance he had to take a point. He won the first set 6-1 by dominating rallies and not giving Baez any real hope.
–>
Rublev, a 2023 winner at the tournament in Bastad, Sweden, played with elite precision, seemingly taking advantage of any chance he had to take a point. He won the first set 6-1 by dominating rallies and not giving Baez any real hope.
<!–qv q:id=64 q:key=vcaa:
Even when Baez won a point, he probably felt as if he needed to hit an extra shot or two just to do so. Rublev wasn't simply playing well; he was performing at near his best level. On clay in that form, he could challenge anyone, including the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
–>
Even when Baez won a point, he probably felt as if he needed to hit an extra shot or two just to do so. Rublev wasn’t simply playing well; he was performing at near his best level. On clay in that form, he could challenge anyone, including the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
<!–qv q:id=67 q:key=vcaa:
Andrey Rublev runs roughshod over Sebastian Baez at the Nordeo Open
–>
Andrey Rublev runs roughshod over Sebastian Baez at the Nordeo Open
<!–qv q:id=6a q:key=vcaa:
Rublev was also outthinking Baez. In the second set, with the Argentinian barely hanging on and serving at 30-40 down 2-4, Baez missed on his first serve. On his second, Rublev stepped inside the court at the perfect time and blasted a forehand winner. It was an example of how he had played the entire match.
–>
Rublev was also outthinking Baez. In the second set, with the Argentinian barely hanging on and serving at 30-40 down 2-4, Baez missed on his first serve. On his second, Rublev stepped inside the court at the perfect time and blasted a forehand winner. It was an example of how he had played the entire match.
<!–qv q:id=6d q:key=vcaa:
The Russian was probably in a bit of a rush to finish off the match for a couple of reasons. One was that a storm was brewing not far away from the venue, and he didn't want play to be stopped because of lightning when he was playing so well.
–>
The Russian was probably in a bit of a rush to finish off the match for a couple of reasons. One was that a storm was brewing not far away from the venue, and he didn’t want play to be stopped because of lightning when he was playing so well.
<!–qv q:id=6g q:key=vcaa:
The other reason was that his semifinal opponent, Alejandro Tabilo, will have a full day's rest ahead of the meeting. Tabilo was set to face Thiago Agustin Tirante in his quarterfinal match, but the Argentinian withdrew, and the Chilean won by walkover.
–>
The other reason was that his semifinal opponent, Alejandro Tabilo, will have a full day’s rest ahead of the meeting. Tabilo was set to face Thiago Agustin Tirante in his quarterfinal match, but the Argentinian withdrew, and the Chilean won by walkover.
<!–qv q:id=6j q:key=vcaa:
Had Andrey Rublev been forced to go three sets against Baez, he would have been a bit more tired for the semifinal match. With an easy victory, the Russian will be as rested as if he had a practice session. Maybe even more so because Baez was so overwhelmed that he offered little resistance against Rublev.
–>
Had Andrey Rublev been forced to go three sets against Baez, he would have been a bit more tired for the semifinal match. With an easy victory, the Russian will be as rested as if he had a practice session. Maybe even more so because Baez was so overwhelmed that he offered little resistance against Rublev.
<!–qv q:id=6m q:key=vcaa:
Should he reach the final, Rublev could potentially face the two-seed Luciano Darderi. That would make for must-watch tennis for fans.
–>
Should he reach the final, Rublev could potentially face the two-seed Luciano Darderi. That would make for must-watch tennis for fans.
Add us as a preferred source on Google