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Match details
Fixture: Andrey Rublev vs Lorenzo Sonego
Date: 1 November 2020
Tournament: Erste Bank Open 2020
Round: Final
Venue: Vienna, Austria
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Prize money: €1,409,510
Match timing: Not before 2 pm local time, 6.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel | India - Sony ESPN
Andrey Rublev vs Lorenzo Sonego preview
The title clash at the 2020 Erste Bank Open will see Andrey Rublev taking on lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego on Sunday.
Rublev celebrated his 23rd birthday just 11 days ago, and is enjoying a breakthrough season. The Russian is into his fifth final of the year, with a 100% win rate in the first four.
Rublev has won two ATP 500 titles over the last couple of months. He first triumphed on the clay courts of Hamburg, before emerging victorious at the hardcourt event in St. Petersburg.
At Vienna, Rublev has barely had to break sweat so far. In his opening round he defeated Norbert Gombos in straight sets, after which he was given a walkover by Jannik Sinner while leading 2-1 in the first set.
In the quarterfinals Rublev was up against Dominic Thiem, who was battling foot blisters. The condition was aggravated during the match, and the Austrian succumbed in straight sets.
Then in the semifinals Kevin Anderson withdrew after a set and a bit, giving Rublev another truncated win.
Rublev will next be up against the man who has been the surprise package of the tournament. Lorenzo Sonego shocked the world by inflicting a solid beating on Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. It was the Italian’s biggest victory by far on tour, and he ably backed it up with a convincing straight-sets win over Dan Evans.
Sonego will be playing in his very first hardcourt final on the ATP tour, and second overall. He has a reputation as a claycourt specialist, but this week he has displayed the aggressive shot-making and tactical acumen needed to excel in indoor conditions.
Andrey Rublev vs Lorenzo Sonego head-to-head
This will be the first match on tour between Andrey Rublev and Lorenzo Sonego, and their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Andrey Rublev vs Lorenzo Sonego prediction
Andrey Rublev’s serve is one of the most improved shots on tour. The Russian has hammered down a whopping 35 aces this tournament, despite playing just five completed sets.
Rublev is yet to be broken in Vienna and has faced just two break points so far - both of which came in the opening stages against Thiem.
Needless to say, Lorenzo Sonego has his task cut out on Sunday. That said, the Italian will be confident with his own serve too; the shot was one of the keys to his victories against Djokovic and Evans.
Sonego hits big on his forehand, but Rublev hits bigger - and off both wings. The Russian can control and finish points with ease from the baseline, but would need to be wary of Sonego’s deceptive drop shot.
Rublev has the most match wins on tour in 2020, and is one of only two players with at least four titles this year (the other being Djokovic). He will be extremely determined to win his fifth title, and should be expected to find an answer to whatever Sonego throws at him.
Prediction: Andrey Rublev to win in straight sets.
