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Match details
Fixture: (5) Andrey Rublev vs Radu Albot
Date: 4 November 2020
Tournament: Rolex Paris Masters 2020
Round: Second round (Round of 32)
Venue: Paris, France
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Prize money: €3,901,015
Match timing: Approx. 7 pm local time, 11.3 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel | India - Sony Six / Sony Liv
Andrey Rublev vs Radu Albot preview
Andrey Rublev is undoubtedly the hottest player on the ATP tour right now. The Russian won the Erste Bank Open on Sunday to claim his tour-leading fifth title of the year. Besides, he is also tied with World No. 1 Novak Djokovic for the most wins on the ATP tour this year - they have both recorded 39 victories so far.
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Rublev has won 19 of his last 20 matches (and his last 15 matches at the ATP 500 level), and has qualified for the season-ending ATP Finals in London for the first time in his career. The Russian's fans would be hoping he is able to sustain his energy levels in Paris this week and then in London.
The 30-year-old Radu Albot meanwhile is ranked No. 90 in the world, but was as high as No. 39 in August of last year.
The Moldovan has a history of firsts when it comes to tennis in his country - he is the first player from his nation to break into the top 100 in the world, to win an ATP singles title as well as to win an ATP doubles title. He also holds the Moldovan Davis Cup record for most singles wins (28) and total wins (41).
Albot has a 5-9 record since the tour resumed in August after the tennis shutdown, highlighted by a quarter-final appearance at the Bett1Hulks Indoors event in Cologne.
Andrey Rublev vs Radu Albot head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between Andrey Rublev and Radu Albot on the ATP tour, so their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0. However, they have met twice at the ATP qualifying and Challenger level, with Albot winning both of those matches.
Andrey Rublev vs Radu Albot prediction
On paper, Andrey Rublev is the overwhelming favorite in this match.
The Russian is playing the best tennis of his life and is in the midst of a serious purple patch. Rublev can hit with power and accuracy off both flanks, and his serve has improved considerably over the past season.
Radu Albot doesn't have the same kind of power that Rublev does, to say the least. The Moldovan is more of a counterpuncher, but covers the court extremely well and will try to engage Rublev in long baseline exchanges.
The lucky loser has already scored two wins this week - one in qualifying, and the other over the 33rd-ranked Hubert Hurkacz in the first round of the main draw on Monday. In that respect, he will have a fair bit of momentum on his side.
But if Rublev is not fatigued after having played almost non-stop since the tour resumed, he should be able to come through this match fairly comfortably.
Prediction: Andrey Rublev to win in straight sets.
