Matteo Arnaldi Takes Out Sixth Seed
Andrey Rublev Admits to Tanking a Set
In a stunning upset at the French Open, Matteo Arnaldi took down sixth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets on Friday. The 26-year-old Rublev admitted that he tanked a set after melting down in defeat. The 20-year-old Arnaldi, ranked 142nd in the world, played with impressive composure and determination, outclassing his more experienced opponent in a display of power and precision. Rublev was visibly frustrated throughout the match, and his demeanor clearly affected his performance.
The match started off competitively, with both players holding serve early on. However, Arnaldi began to assert his dominance in the first set, breaking Rublev's serve in the seventh game and serving out the set in a tense tie-break. The second set was all Arnaldi, as he broke Rublev's serve twice and won the set 6-2. Rublev appeared to lose his focus and motivation in the third set, and Arnaldi took advantage, breaking his serve in the third game and eventually serving out the match.
After the match, Rublev was surprisingly candid in his assessment of his performance. "I tanked the second set," he admitted. "I was just so frustrated after losing the first set. I felt like I couldn't do anything right, and I just wanted to get it over with." Rublev's honesty was refreshing and spoke to the intense pressure and emotions that players face at Grand Slams.
Arnaldi's victory is a major breakthrough for the young Italian. He had never previously defeated a top-10 player, and his win over Rublev is sure to boost his confidence and ranking. Arnaldi will face another tough test in the next round, as he is scheduled to play 10th seed Jannik Sinner.
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