This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Top-seeded Andrey Rublev of Russia dominated with his serve en route to a 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over 16th-seeded Arthur Rinderknech of France in the third round of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Thursday in Washington.
Rublev won 91 percent of his first-serve points, served 19 aces and saved both break points he faced to advance to the quarterfinals. Rinderknech lost despite amassing 18 aces.
Up next for Rublev is fifth-seeded Frances Tiafoe, who won an all-U.S. matchup against Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-3. Tiafoe recorded the only service break of the final set in the next-to-last game, then sealed the victory on his third match point.
Three other U.S. players moved into the quarters. Second-seeded Ben Shelton beat 13th-seeded countryman Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4); fourth-seeded Sebastian Korda advanced when Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis retired while trailing 6-7 (1), 7-5, 3-2; and 15th-seeded Alex Michelsen got past South Korean qualifier Seongchan Hong 6-3, 6-3.
Seventh-seeded Jordan Thompson of Australia, 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli of Italy and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov also earned third-round wins.
–Field Level Media
