Andrey Rublev's shock act of sportsmanship stuns French Open rival
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.
INTERESTING: Djokovic's 'reckless' tactic under microscope after Nadal loss
'IT'S A JOKE': John McEnroe rips Nadal during Djokovic clash
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.
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.
great sportsmanship by Rublev, which may cost him a first Grand Slam semifinal
but it won't be enough to beat out Roger Federer for the 2022 Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) June 1, 2022
Sportsmanship from Rublev
Acknowledged by Cilic
The ball touched the line but referee said out
Cilic showed his disappointment and Rublev agreed to replay the point that too in a crucial 5th set#RolandGarros#RolandGarros2022 #FrenchOpen #FrenchOpen2022 #rublev #cilic— Daily Sports Update (@Sportsupdate4u) June 1, 2022
Rublev's sportsmanship has been superb.
— Jashan (@Jashan_lfc) June 1, 2022
Rublev making a case for sportsmanship of the year award in this match
— Erik Jonsson 🇺🇦 (@erktennis) June 1, 2022
Let the record reflect that Rublev conceded an ace to Cilic in the fifth-set tiebreak. That's sportsmanship. Bravo @AndreyRublev9. #RolandGarros
— Megan Fernandez (@MeganFernandez7) June 1, 2022
Rublev with great sportsmanship there, on a point that should be his #RolandGarros
— rosh (@nostrarosh) June 1, 2022
Great sportsmanship there from Rublev, conceding a point to Cilic despite his ball being called out
— Sam (@sammonro05) June 1, 2022
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
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
