Beaten from the start, Rublev sinks deeper into crisis!

But what's happening to Andrey Rublev?

Defending champion in Bastad, the world number 8 fell in his first match, beaten by the modest Thiago Agustin Tirante, ranked 121st in the world (7-6, 3-6, 6-4).

More disappointing than ever, the Moscow native seems totally lost and is starting to sink into crisis.

Indeed, since winning the title in Madrid, the Russian has just not been able to get going. In 8 matches played, he has won just 3. Worse still, he has lost his opening 3 matches at Halle, Wimbledon and now Bastad.

In the ATP rankings, Rublev's slide continues, as he will be, at best, 9th in the world on Monday.