Andrey Rublev sets Hamburg showdown with Bastad champ Francisco Cerundolo

MATCH POINT: Rublev seals Hamburg opener

After reaching the semifinals in Bastad, can Andrey Rublev get himself back into the winner’s circle for the fourth time this season?

The world No. 8 is off to a positive start in Hamburg, where he contested the final in 2019 before going a step further at 2020’s September-staged edition. On Wednesday, Rublev dispatched Ricardas Berankis, 6-3, 6-4, firing 12 aces and saving four of five break points.

The 24-year-old entered this week at No. 7 in the ATP Race To Turin. He is seeking his second clay-court title of the year following his final-round win over Novak Djokovic in Belgrade. Awaiting the second-seeded Rublev in an intriguing second-round encounter at the ATP 500 event is the competitor who walked away with the Nordea Open trophy last Sunday: Francisco Cerundolo.

Having celebrated his first tour-level triumph by clinching an all-Argentine final against Sebastian Baez, Cerundolo upped his win streak to six on Tuesday with a three-set rally over Daniel Altmaier. His stretch of form includes the confidence boost of taking out a Top 10 opponent for the first time when he ousted then defending Bastad champion Casper Ruud.

Cerundolo and Rublev are set to meet for the first time.

Fresh off a stunning week in Budapest that ended with her maiden WTA singles crown, Bernarda Pera has continued her winning ways at the 250 level in Hamburg. After dismissing No. 9 seed Elena Gabriela Ruse Tuesday, Pera rolled over Joanne Zuger, 6-1, 6-1, breaking the Swiss five times.

Including her two qualifying rounds from last week, Pera has now won 18 consecutive sets.