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Andrey Rublev's shock act of sportsmanship stuns French Open rival

Tennis star Marin Cilic (pictured right) arguing with the chair umpire and (pictured left) Andrey Rublev hitting a shot at the French Open.
Tennis star Marin Cilic (pictured right) couldn't believe his shot was called out, but Andrey Rublev showed class and conceded the point in their French Open quarter-final. (Images: Eurosport)

Veteran tennis star Marin Cilic has wound back the clock and defeated Russian Andrey Rublev in a five-set epic, but the match was highlighted after a brilliant act of sportsmanship from his rival.

The 35-year-old has made his best result at a French Open after reaching the semi-final with 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10-2) in a match that lasted more than four hours on Court Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday.

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The match was a huge hit for Rublev's confidence after failing to reach the semi-final after five quarter-final appearances at grand slams.

However, the Russian was widely praised for his sportsmanship during the match.

One such point came when Rublev was scrambling to the net after a Cilic drop shot.

The Russian made it, but the ball was called out.

Ciolic pleaded his case to the chair umpire, but to no avail.

However, Rublev jumped in and conceded the point.

Andrey Rublev (pictured) looking exhausted at the French Open.
Andrey Rublev (pictured) showed great sportsmanship in his match against Marin Cilic at the French Open. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill via Getty Images)

But, in a bigger twist, Hawkeye showed the ball was out. Hawkeye is not used at the French Open.

In the fifth set tiebreak, Cilic serve down a monster ace.

But, the chair umpire called the ball out.

And in a moment rarely seen in tennis, Rublev looked at the mark and quickly conceded the point to Cilic.

The act saw Cilic praise the Russian after the match.

John McEnroe on Eurosport was taken aback with the Russian's act of sportsmanship.

"It is interesting because Rublev circled a mark that looked to be out, but then he turned around and gave it to Cilic," McEnroe said.

"I don't even know how to respond to that, but nicely done!

"He originally circled a mark that presumably showed that it was out! But anyway."

Marin Cilic praises Andrey Rublev at French Open

Cilic was quick to acknowledge the manner in which the match was played and Rublev's humility.

"Andrey played incredibly well, it was an incredibly fair-play performance on the court," he said.

"The win comes from being me, I played that kind of tennis the whole match. Especially the fifth set was an incredible battle.

"A lot of heart. One had to go down and today was my day. But Andrey also played an incredible match. Bad luck to him.

Cilic said he felt mentally tired on caught due to Rublev's big hitting and tactical game.

"I felt more tired emotionally out there because Andrey plays a difficult game, he serves big, hits big, and you don't have many chances.

"You have to keep up with your level, which I did. Unfortunately, I lost that fourth set. I thought I was close to getting the break.

"When you play this long, there will always be ups and downs in the match but I kept my focus in the fifth."

with AAP

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