STARNBERG/VIENNA, October 31, 2020
Andrey Rublev and Lorenzo Sonego are the finalists of the 2020 Erste Bank Open in Vienna, described by World No. 1 Novak Djokovic as the “toughest ATP 500 draw of all time” ahead of the start of the tournament.
No. 5 seed Rublev continued his quest for a record fifth ATP title this season on Saturday. The 23-year-old Russian was leading Kevin Anderson 6-4, 4-1 when the two-time Grand Slam finalist from South Africa retired due to a right leg injury.
“I don’t know why it’s going so well. I have such an amazing team, such amazing friends around me that always support me and probably that’s why I’m playing so good,” Rublev said in his on-court interview. “I came here thinking that I have nothing to lose. I already did a really great season, so I came here to enjoy, to do my best, to fight for every point, every match, and now here I am in the final. I want to keep thinking in the same way and we’ll see what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
Sonego backs up Djokovic win
Later in the day, lucky loser Sonego, who knocked out Djokovic in the stage of the final eight, continued his impressive run of form with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Daniel Evans from Great Britain. The World No. 42 from Turin won 80 per cent of his first-service points and capitalized on three of his four break-point chances to advance in one hour and 20 minutes.
On song Sonego ✌️
Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego defeats Dan Evans in Vienna to reach his first ATP 500 final, 6-3 6-4. #ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/3DHJGftfak
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 31, 2020
“I’m really happy,” Sonego said in his on-court interview. “After yesterday it was not easy playing against Evans because he has a good talent. He has a good backhand and it was not easy. But today I won and I am so happy.”
Sonego will meet Rublev for the first time on Sunday. Rublev is pursuing his fifth ATP Tour title of the season, while the 25-year-old Italian is trying to lift the second tour-level trophy of his career following his maiden triumph at the Antalya Open last year.
