Andrey Rublev hits stunning winner to claim epic Centre Court victory over Alexander Bublik
- Planet Sport writer
- 9 July 2023
Andrey Rublev showed his commitment with an outrageous dive to return a blistering forehand by Alexander Bublik to set up his win in the round of 16.
Seventh seed Andrey Rublev dived into the quarter-finals of Wimbledon with an extraordinary shot to bring up match point against Alexander Bublik.
Rublev was in the middle of the baseline when Bublik hit what he, and everyone else on Centre Court, thought was a clean winner down the line.
But the Russian dived forward, got a racket on the ball and somehow floated it over the net.
"That is one of the great shots we've seen here in years," exclaimed John McEnroe on commentary as Bublik scratched his head in disbelief.
Rublev, who had been two sets ahead but was pegged back by his opponent from Kazakhstan, went on to seal a 7-5 6-3 6-7 (6) 6-7 (5) 6-4 win after one of the most entertaining matches of the Championships.
"It was the most lucky shot ever," said the 25-year-old. "It was luck, nothing else. I don't think I can do it one more time."
Rublev, in the last eight at Wimbledon for the first time, was joined by fellow Russian Roman Safiullin, who became the lowest ranked male quarter-finalist here since Nick Kyrgios in 2014.
The world number 92 upset Canada's 26th seed Dennis Shapovalov 3-6 6-3 6-1 6-3.
He will face Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner, who beat Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia in straight sets.
