Andrey Rublev leads Russian Wimbledon return with easy win – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a confident display, Andrey Rublev, the seventh seed from Russia, eased into the second round of Wimbledon with a straight-set 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Max Purcell of Australia on Monday.
Rublev’s achievement is particularly significant as he is among the 17 Russian and Belarusian players participating in the men’s and women’s singles draws.
These players were previously banned in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam tournament that enforced this ban, resulting in the loss of ranking points for the event according to the ATP and WTA Tours.
As part of their return, Russian and Belarusian players are competing as neutrals and are required to sign a “waiver” denouncing support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime. They are also prohibited from receiving state funding or sponsorship from Russian or Belarusian companies.

Rublev, known for his statement against the war by writing “No War” on a camera lens during a tournament shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, received a warm welcome from the crowd on Court Three.
Rublev’s skills on the grass court were evident as he displayed superiority over his opponent, the 64th-ranked Max Purcell, advancing confidently to the second round.
“Very happy to be back here after two years,” Rublev said during an on-court interaction after the victory.
“I’m happy to win my first match. To play in London it’s a special feeling. To play at 11am and have a full stadium it’s doubly special,” Rublev added.

Despite facing a momentary setback in the second set, Rublev showcased his resilience and determination on the court. While trailing 5-2, he quickly regained his composure and reconnected with his aggressive baseline game.
From that point onwards, Rublev took control of the match and never looked back. His ability to adapt and refocus allowed him to overpower his opponent and maintain his dominant form.
This victory marked another step forward for Rublev, who had previously reached the fourth round in the 2021 edition of the tournament.