Roland Garros: Andrey Rublev downs Corentin Moutet

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Andrey Rublev is playing his fifth Roland Garros, missing the clay Major in 2018 and 2019 due to injuries. A two-time quarter-finalist is through into the third round in Paris following a 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 triumph over Corentin Moutet in two hours and 58 minutes.

Andrey played better behind the first serve, but his second serve will need some fixes ahead of the more dangerous rivals. Rublev lost serve two times and turned 43% of the return points into 14 break chances. The better-ranked player converted five to control the pace and seal the deal in four sets.

Both players had more winners than unforced errors, and the crowd on Court Simonne-Mathieu enjoyed a high-quality duel. Moutet built the advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes, and Rublev erased it in the mid-range rallies, destroying his rival and bringing the victory home in that segment.

Andrey forced Corentin's mistake in the encounter's first game for an early break.

Andrey Rublev defeated Corentin Moutet in four sets at Roland Garros.

The Russian served well in the rest of the set and had a chance to increase the gap in the fifth game.

Andrey missed a routine backhand at the net and failed to break the rival for the second time and secure the set. Still, he had no issues behind the initial shot, landing a smash winner at the net at deuce in the tenth game for 6-4.

Andrey produced reliable serving in the second set, and Corentin failed to follow that pace. The Frenchman sprayed a forehand error in the third game to lose serve and fell 4-1 behind after another loose service game. Rublev served for the set at 5-2 and wrapped it up with a forehand winner for a massive advantage after an hour and 25 minutes.

Moutet survived numerous deuces and two break points at the start of the third set to avoid another early setback. He raised his level in the rest of the set, serving well and keeping the pressure on Rublev. The Russian netted a forehand in the fourth game to fall 3-1 behind, having no chance to pull the break back by the end of the set.

A left-hander served for it at 5-3 and earned two set points with a forehand crosscourt winner. Corentin seized the first with a backhand slice winner, clinching it 6-3 and extending the battle. They traded breaks early in the fourth set, and Rublev made a crucial one in game two with a backhand return winner to avoid chasing the result.

The Russian played better in the rest of the set and waited for the opportunities on the return. Moutet saved two break points in the sixth game to remain on the positive side. However, he squandered two game points in game eight and netted a forehand to give Andrey a decisive break.

Rublev served for the victory at 5-3 and forced the rival's error after deuce to emerge at the top and advance into the third round for the third time in Paris.