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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

It’s time to prove themselves yet again on the bigger stages of the tennis world. On one side, Andrey Rublev is desperate to hold his place inside the Top 10 by grabbing as many wins as he can in the next few tournaments. While on the other side, the former number 6, Hubert Hurkacz aims to climb up the ladders to bring back his glorious days. Both of them are all set to face each other in the QF of the 2025 ABN AMRO Open in just a few hours from now. After winning the R16 match, Rublev revealed, “I knew that today was going to be different because I am more confident in myself.

He’s happy to put up a fight and win that match but can he extend his winning run further?

Andrey Rublev vs Hubert Hurkacz: Preview

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Andrey Rublev started the 2024 season with a title triumph in Hong Kong. However, he was defeated by Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the QF of the Rotterdam event in the last year. Rublev’s second title of that season came at the Madrid Open where he defeated Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime by 4-6,7-5,7-5. After his successful run in Madrid, Andrey Rublev made it to the finals at the Canadian Open, but he was defeated by Alexei Popyrin in that match. However, he didn’t have a great start to his 2025 season as he faced an early exit from the AO at the hands of Joao Fonseca (BRA). However, he reached the SF at the Open Occitanie. Rublev will be entering this match following his 7-6(2),7-6(7) win over Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in the R16.

USA Today via Reuters

Hubert Hurkacz on the other hand, had a relatively easier task in the previous round as Jiri Lehecka (CZE) gave him a walkover in the middle of the second set. Even Hurkacz made an early exit from the 2025 AO, so he’ll also be desperate to make it count in Rotterdam! If we take a look at his performance in the 2024 season, Hubert Hurkacz won the Estoril Open last year. He also made it to the final at the Halle Open, but over there he was defeated by Jannik Sinner in two sets. Although Hurkacz reached the QF and SF in quite a few tournaments last year, he failed to deliver when it mattered the most. Can he find his fortunes in Rotterdam?

Rublev vs Hurkacz: Head-to-Head

Andrey Rublev has crossed paths against Hubert Hurkacz five times in his career so far and guess who’s leading the race in the H2H record at the moment? Well, interestingly, it’s the Pole who currently has a 3-2 edge over the Russian in this stat!

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What’s your perspective on:

Can Rublev's aggressive play overpower Hurkacz's defensive skills, or will the Pole's serve be the game-changer?

Have an interesting take?

  • 2023 ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai Final: Hurkacz 6-3,3-6,7-6(8).
  • 2022 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells R16: Rublev 7-6(5),6-4.
  • 2022 Dubai SF: Rublev 3-6,7-5,7-6(5).
  • 2021 ATP Masters 1000 Miami SF: Hurkacz 6-3,6-4.
  • 2020 ATP Masters 1000 Rome R32: Hurkacz 7-6(6),3-6,6-2.

Prediction: Rublev to win in three sets

This match is surely going to go deep! However, Andrey Rublev has a better record in this tournament. He won this tournament in 2021 and this is in fact his sixth QF appearance in Rotterdam. So, despite Hubert Hurkacz’s slight edge in the H2H record, we feel Andrey Rublev will get the edge on this surface. How were their performances in the last few months? Well, if we take a glimpse at the numbers, Andrey Rublev (10) had a win-loss record of 43-28 in the last season, while Hubert Hurkacz (21) had recorded 42-22.

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So, the margins are fine and this is why we expect this match to go at least three sets. Talking about their playing styles, Hubert Hurkacz is known for his all-court game with an emphasis on defensive baseline play. His fiery serves are capable of reaching around 151 miles per hour and in the last season, we saw Hurkacz firing 736 aces against his opponents! Hubert Hurkacz can also hit powerfully from both his forehand and backhand. He loves playing from the back of the court and he has also been described as a serve-and-volley player. Stopping Rublev from playing his natural game will be the key to success for the Pole in this match.

Andrey Rublev is an offensive baseliner with a big forehand and he also has a dangerous and consistent two-handed backhand. Rublev’s running forehand is particularly lethal because of his consistency and comfort with the shot. However, despite the power, the Russian superstar is often hyper-aggressive and can enter situations where he makes consecutive unforced errors during his matches. If Andrey Rublev keeps this in check, then it’d be a bit difficult for Hurkacz to break the Russian in this epic battle! We’re expecting some fireworks in this match, but talking about the winner, well Rublev looks favorite at the moment!

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Debate

Can Rublev's aggressive play overpower Hurkacz's defensive skills, or will the Pole's serve be the game-changer?

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