Andrey Rublev shocked himself by managing to remain calm throughout an intense battle with Carlos Alcaraz within the Madrid quarter-finals on Wednesday and the fiery Russian mentioned his work on the psychological aspect of the sport was beginning to repay.
Rublev, who fought again from a set all the way down to beat world quantity three Alcaraz 4-6 6-3 6-2, has struggled to maintain his mood beneath management at occasions on tour.
The 26-year-old was defaulted within the Dubai Championships in March after a Russian-speaking official mentioned he uttered an obscenity whereas screaming at a line choose, an accusation that the participant denied.
In one other match in opposition to Alcaraz within the ATP Finals final 12 months, Rublev drew gasps from the Turin crown by repeatedly smashing his racket into his leg earlier than wiping blood off his knee throughout a changeover.
He destroyed one other racket after his shock defeat by Brandon Nakashima in Barcelona final month and had heated arguments with the chair umpire in Madrid final weekend, however the seventh seed mentioned he was making efforts to handle the problem.
“I can’t imagine I used to be in a position to keep calm all through the match,” Rublev informed Sky Sports activities after downing defending champion Alcaraz. “I didn’t say a phrase. Even I’m impressed by that.”
Coming into Madrid on a four-match dropping streak after early defeats in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona, Rublev seemed again to his finest in opposition to Alcaraz.
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He mentioned he had been working laborious at staying cool within the warmth of battle.
“I need to imagine that I’ve been engaged on this as a result of if not then I’m silly,” he added.
“After so a few years, to not enhance on this could imply that one thing is mistaken with my head.”
Rublev faces American Taylor Fritz within the semi-finals as he targets a second Masters title heading into the French Open that begins on Could 26.