Thiago Seyboth Wild v Andrey Rublev Condensed Match | Australian Open 2024 First Round

It's A.O. or Yvonne? Yvonne is this side? A.O. A.O.? OK, now you can toss it. A.O. is called. Just toss it and let it fall to the ground. Yeah, perfect. A.O., you choose. Surf? You stay and... Well, that's impressive. That'll make a server stand up and take notice. There is the early break. We've got more people streaming down, but... I think it's something that has to happen, though. Yeah. Well, after it signed all those autographs as well. I know, I know. VIP lane, fellas. I think they think he's a movie star or something. There it is again. Yeah, I think, guys, it's probably a combination of things, isn't it? Players at the top echelon of the sport. They sort of know what to expect, don't they? And the forehand, this time, misfiring for the Brazilian. It certainly seems as though this end is a little simpler to play from. And that's something I think a lot of people would like to see him introduce into his game. So maybe a 5 and 7, something like that. The balls are getting still chewed up now. Obviously, we know matches are getting longer. I wouldn't be surprised to see that getting looked at in the near future. A drop shot early. He's able to make him pay for it. His best tennis is pretty good, isn't it? Game. Woodland. Game at first set. Woodland. Wrestled control in the end of a set that he was in some trouble in. The fifth seed. After 50 minutes. Leads 7-5. 15-0. He'll start to set number two. He diffused the power aggressively. Clever ball. Beautifully played. What were you saying? And if it goes in? It's a bit too good, mate. You'd be a brave man in this country to do that. But it's dangerous, isn't it, Nick? Right here for him. He's on the brink here, isn't he? Game. Rublev. Rublev leading 4-1. Of course, that double break just allows Rublev to really open his shoulders now. Lovely. Make a few shots again now. Has come out of nowhere here. Two points from the set. He's one set away from the second round here in Melbourne. He leads by two sets still. I think the aspiration has to be to move higher. It has to be. Left him very exposed. Because of it. Games of the match so far. It is a third break. Rublev serves. Speed off that ball because he's pinned you down with his power a lot of the time. It's a hot return. It's a weapon, isn't it, at the forehand? No doubt. In that department. Withy is the important number. So often we look at first serve percentage. Game. Rublev. Stunning half-volley. Points played on the serve in this set. Interesting reading. Game. Rublev. That's a line licker. The 23-year-old has added a lot to this contest. And he is rewarded. By securing set number three. He has been able to half the deficit. Rublev still leads by two sets to one. He was actually at Roland Garros last year. Lorenzo Sonico is the man that beat him on that occasion. I should just tell you some news that has just come to us in the last ten minutes or so. It's a big loss. I'll tell you what a talent he is and he's played well here in the past. Had severe cramp in his last round of qualifying. Takes his place. Game. Rublev. First game. Four sets. The danger of not hitting a spot on the serve. Lovely thing. Well, Nick Tavoli just gives him too much of an opportunity. Just not enough. With that volley. Thank you. Opened the door. Athleticism. Well, he's starting to believe, I think. That's good as well. He's got to keep playing freely. Taken to a fourth set. Things getting a little interesting. Yeah, of course, worth remembering as well. With the serve clock. He's started really at the umpire's discretion. Game. Rublev. It only takes Seybottvild to switch off for one service game and things can be done and dusted. Yeah, he's in a little bit of trouble here if he's not careful. Game. On top of it again. And he is very on the charge right now. An hour and a half ago. What do you do then? Where do you go to? Just go harder. 14, 15. I guess that's the only option. Black, 78 in the world. He's pushing the world number five all the way. And we're down to a fifth set shootout. Rublev's record incident. 15 all. Five set matches, seven wins and eight defeats. 13, 14. The Brazilian. Seybottvild. Well, this became apparent. You could tell it was going wide enough for him to attempt this. But you've got to be good enough to do it. Around the net post. Probably chastising himself there for dropping that too short. Gave himself enough room. Took his own time away. Game. Rublev. That is a no-nonsense hold. 3-4. 15 out. Amazing for a player. He's ranked five. It's because he can do that. He's just such an incredible hitter of the tennis ball. Exceptional. Game. A long way. And then he does that. Game, Rublev. And would you believe it? Yes. Oh, you must be believing now. Well, as Rublev's done there, under pressure. What a cannon. Game. What a win. He's pushed all the way by the 23-year-old Brazilian. Needs five to prevail in a final set tiebreaker. Well, Andrei, there's one word written all over your face, and that is relief. You've got through in five sets. The first time you've played Thiago, I'm sure you're not going to forget that one in a long time. Yeah, for sure I will not forget this one. When I was not even on the edge of losing the first match, I was failing already. And in the last moment, someone caught me. So, yeah, for sure I will not forget this match. Thiago is a super, super dangerous player, super talented. And when he's in the right mood and feeling the ball well, we can see him. And he's hitting so hard, so clean, and it's so tough to beat him. We know you knocked off Medvedev last year. He's come and pushed you to five sets. He can obviously play. What makes him so tricky, do you think? I don't know, but in my head was a lot of times Daniel's match over Alangarosa. I was already thinking in the fifth set when the match was... I had so many opportunities and I couldn't make it. But I was thinking, okay, for sure we're going to see the same story like Daniel at Alangarosa. And then, I don't know, when I was losing 4-1, I already mentally gave up. And maybe that's what helped me in the end. Because I feel a bit relieved that, okay, then it's not my day. And I hit really good few shots, few returns. And what makes him so difficult to play is that he's serving really hard, you can see. He was serving so hard. Both serves, first and second, not many double faults. And hitting the ball really hard and clean. He could hit the winner from any position. And that's what makes him really tough to beat. All that matters is you are through to the second round. You've taken over three and a half hours to do that. These sort of wins can end up setting up your tournament. You've done it in five sets in the first round. Now you can go away and take something out of this match. You don't have to answer that. That's fine. And you know what? I know it's tough as well. Because, as you probably know, at the Australian Open, we love barricading for an underdog. The crowd turns. They want to see someone come up. Doesn't mean they don't like you. The crowd's on your side. Don't worry. No, I understand. Perfect, of course. When you see tough matches, of course, it's more interesting than when you see more easy matches. So, of course, when someone is losing crowd, start to support him to have a more difficult match. Your support today almost made me lose the first round. But I understand everything. Perfect. Thank you so much for supporting the players that you like. And thank you for coming to watch tennis. Andrei Rublev, through to the second round. Congratulations. Go and get some rest, ladies and gentlemen.