Rublev, Khachanov, Swiatek, Sabalenka, Pliskova hit fourth round

Andrey Rublev of Russia and compatriot, Karen Khachanov advanced to the fourth round in early matches on Friday. Rublev defeated Italy’s Fabio Fognini, 6/3; 5/7; 6/4; 6/2 while Khachanov outlasted American Frances Tiafoe 6/3; 6/4; 6/4
Rublev won the 43-minute first set 6/3 with a single break of Fognini’s serve.

In the second set, the eighth game was crucial after Rublev broke Fognini to lead 4-3. Serving to extend the lead, the score was 30-30 when Fognini hit a drop shot which Rublev scrambled to lift and Fabio hit a lob volley for the break point.

After a long exchange, Rublev had a short ball that he hammered out for the break. Fognini took the ninth game and Rublev saved a set point in the tenth game. The Italian battled to hold the eleventh game. Serving to save the set, Rublev conceded the twelfth game for the set 7/5 in 57mins.

Rublev broke Fognini’s serve to lead 3-2 and held the sixth game. Fognini won the seventh game on the third opportunity while Rublev promptly won his serve for 5-3. After Fognini held serve for 5-4, the tenth game was long drawn out but Rublev prevailed for 6/4. The Russian sealed the victory with a quick 6/3 fourth set.

In third round matches of the Ladies event, Poland’s Iga Swiatek defeated Irena Camelia Begu of Romania, 6/1; 6/0. Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus defeated Colombia’s Maria Camilla Osorio Serrano, 6/0; 6/3 and Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic defeated her compatriot, Tereza Martincova, 6/3; 6/3.