World No 6 Russian Andrey Rublev edged Denmark's Holger Rune after saving two match points in a five-set thriller 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (11-9) to book a place in his seventh Grand Slam quarterfinal here on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 25-year-old will face either Novak Djokovic or Alex De Minaur in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I never in my life was able to win matches like this," Rublev said after the win. "This is the first time that I won something like this, especially in a very special tournament, the Australian Open, to be in the quarterfinals. So, it's something I will remember for sure all my life. I have no words; I am shaking and happy."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rune was struggling physically as he saved two break points in its first game, but after a visit from the trainer, he managed to find a second wind and steal the set — but only after failing to serve it out at 5-3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Dane was at his best early in set five, combining big hitting with athletic defending, ultimately converting on his fourth break chance of the set to lead 3-1. But once again, he could not serve out the set as Rublev won 12 of 13 points to roar back from 2-5.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rublev fought back from 2-5 in the fifth set, saved two match points on serve at 5-6, then found himself in a 0\/5 hole in the decisive tie-break. On his third match point, he clinched victory when a net cord dribbled over the net.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Dane was at his best early in set five, combining big hitting with athletic defending, ultimately converting on his fourth break chance of the set to lead 3-1. But once again, he could not serve out the set as Rublev won 12 of 13 points to roar back from 2-5.<\/p>\r\n\r\n