Prestigious Victory for Royer, Defeats Rublev in Hangzhou

Valentin Royer achieved an incredible performance by defeating Andrey Rublev at the ATP 250 tournament in Hangzhou. With a well-managed first set and a perfectly handled tiebreak in the second, the Frenchman advanced to the quarterfinals.

Top seed at the Hangzhou tournament, Andrey Rublev was making his debut in China, having been exempt from the first round. The Russian, ranked 14th in the world, faced Valentin Royer, ranked 88th and coming from the qualifiers.

The Frenchman earned this prestigious match after a victory against Aleksandar Kovacevic (4-6, 7-6, 6-3). Unfazed, Royer started perfectly by breaking Rublev's serve in the first game.

Rublev quickly bounced back, but the 24-year-old did not let it affect him and regained a break advantage to lead 3-2. This was the third and final break of the match.

Indeed, Royer held his advantage till the end, which allowed him to take the first set. In the second set, both players had to be patient.

In the tiebreak, the two men, more solid on their serves, were separated. More solid, Royer flew through, winning the deciding game 7 points to 2, and consequently the match (6-4, 7-6 in 1h48).

The Frenchman triumphed over his first top 20 opponent in his career and qualifies for the quarterfinals. For a spot in the semifinals, he will face Learner Tien, who has defeated Navone and Zeppieri since the start of the tournament.