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ATP Tour: Rublev Holds Off Broady In Hong Kong Opener, Reached Quarterfinals
The British World No: Andrey Rublev was forced to dig deep, beating qualifier Liam Broady as the top seed completed the Hong Kong Open 2024 quarterfinal line-up on Thursday night. The No. 5 in ATP Rankings fended off qualifier Liam Broady 6-4, 7-6(8) to book a tantalising last-eight clash with teenage sensation Arthur Fils, who had an enlightening week of training with 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the off-season.
"Before we flew here we practised the last days together," said Rublev ahead of his maiden head-to-head clash with Fils. "What can I say? He's super strong for his age, he's super powerful across the shots. I need to be really ready mentally and physically for a great battle with him," he said after the match.
Rublev had already featured in Hong Kong in two doubles matches but burst onto the singles scene with a 4-1 early advantage. Broady, keen to celebrate his 30th birthday in style, couldn't quite snatch away the opener, but a series of piercing returns and disguised ventures to the net kept Rublev off balance.
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