Rublev Eliminated by Bergs, Another Top 15 Player Falls in Miami
Tonight, Andrey Rublev made his debut at the Miami Masters 1000. The world No. 9 aimed to reset after an early exit at Indian Wells.
Defeated in his opening match by Matteo Arnaldi (6-4, 7-5), the Doha tournament champion this season had hoped for a strong run in Florida, but it wasn’t to be.
Indeed, the Russian found no more success in Miami than he did at the California tournament.
In a tightly contested match, Zizou Bergs emerged victorious (7-5, 6-4). The Belgian secured his first-ever career win against a top 20 player. The world No. 51 was visibly emotional after his prestigious victory, dedicating the win to his grandfather.
“This is an emotional day for me. Exactly two years ago, my grandfather passed away while I was playing here in Miami against Kokkinakis.
I lost 7-6 in the third set, and when I went to the locker room, I learned the news. Beating a top 10 player today is an incredible feeling,” said the Belgian on the court, tears in his eyes. He will face Matteo Berrettini in the next round.
For Rublev, the negative streak continues. The two-time Masters 1000 champion is now on a run of three consecutive defeats (Halys in Dubai, Arnaldi in Indian Wells, and Bergs in Miami) and has not won a single match on the ATP Tour since his triumph in Qatar.
After the eliminations of Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Jack Draper, Holger Rune, and Ben Shelton, another top 15 player has exited the Miami tournament in their opening match.
Like last year, Rublev falls in his first match in Florida and fails to build confidence ahead of the clay court season.
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