Andrey Rublev tried to place a bet with the umpire during his victory over Matteo Arnaldi. The third seed in Vienna advanced to the quarter-final with a 7-5 6-3 win. But he had a disagreement with chair official Timo Janzen over a double-bounce call during the match and tried to resolve it by taking odds on who would be right when they watched it back later.
Rublev is through to the last eight of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, winning his first two matches in straight sets. The world No 5 was cruising with a set and break lead over Arnaldi on Thursday when the umpire gave his opponent a point that Rublev believed was still in play.
The 26-year-old attempted to chase down a drop shot and managed to get his racket on the ball but it came just after the ball had bounced twice, meaning the Italian won the point to take the game and trail 1-3. But Rublev was in disagreement, claiming that he made it to the ball in time and asked for a video review.
When he was told that there was no replay system at the tournament, Rublev accepted the call but he had another idea. “We can have a bet. Let’s do a bet,” the third seed smiled after the umpire said he saw two bounces.
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But Janzen didn’t want to place a real wager with the Russian, as Rublev clarified that they would just watch the point back later on. “I can’t bet,” the umpire said. “No, I’m saying after the match,” the third seed replied.
The umpire conceded, adding: “We can have a look, yes.” But a slow-motion replay of the point shown to viewers at home confirmed that Janzen was correct and the ball had just bounced for the second time when Rublev got to it.
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“I think he doesn’t get there,” commentator Robbie Koenig said. “Definitely not there. I tell you what, Andrey is going to owe Timo a nice coffee and apple strudel.” Although Rublev didn’t agree with the call, he didn’t let it interrupt his momentum.
The world No 5 was able to keep going until he closed out a 7-5 6-3 victory. With the win, he officially qualified for next month’s ATP Finals – the fourth time in his career that he will compete in the season-ending championships. He now faces Alexander Zverev for a spot in the Vienna semi-final.
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