Shanghai Masters star complains as fans stopped watching him because of Roger Federer
Andrey Rublev noticed that all eyes were on Roger Federer as he tried to play his match at the Shanghai Masters.
Andrey Rublev claimed that fans at the Shanghai Masters stopped watching his match against Ugo Humbert when they realised that Roger Federer was in the crowd. The fifth seed could be seen smiling when he realised the 20-time Major winner was in the stands. Rublev went on to defeat the Frenchman 6-2 6-3 to reach the semi-final.
Federer returned to the Shanghai Masters on Friday as he was named the "icon athlete" of the tournament and honoured in a special ceremony in between the two singles matches of the day. The former world No 1 received a present, recalled some of his old matches in Shanghai and answered some fans' questions during the presentation - which also saw him hug a lion mascot.
Rublev and Humbert then took to the court for the last quarter-final of the tournament. It was their fifth career meeting with the head-to-head split at 2-2 - including a meeting at last week's China Open where Humbert defeated the 25-year-old. This time around, Rublev got his revenge as he came through in straight sets.
Federer took his seat part-way through the contest and Rublev later addressed his presence, admitting it took the attention away from the tennis. "No he didn’t distract me at all but all the people, they stopped focusing on the match because they only focus on Roger," he laughed.
"So they were not watching any more tennis, they were watching only Roger." Rublev himself was all smiles when he realised that the tennis icon was in the crowd as he returned to the baseline for the second set after taking the first 6-2.
The world No 7 is the highest seed left in the draw and he will now face Grigor Dimitrov for a spot in the final. The pair recently formed a bromance during the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Frankfurt - a series of exhibition-style tennis tournaments played with unconventional rules.
At the time, Rublev declared: "I think, if I was a girl, I would be completely in love with Grigor. Even being a man, I am in love with Grigor." And the Russian admitted that it would be tough to face one of his good friends in the semi-final.
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Speaking after his quarter-final win, Rublev said: "It’s going to be a tough match first of all because he’s a friend and I like him and obviously the second part he’s a really great player and it’s really tough to beat him when he feels the game, when he’s in form, he can play amazing.
"We could see this week he’s playing really well. Especially the match with [Carlos] Alcaraz. Last time he beat me in straight sets so we’ll see. I hope we can show great tennis and people can enjoy. I don't know, I just wish all the best for both of us and [let's see] who will deserve more to win."