ATP Rome: Hanfmann Stuns Rublev, Showcasing Tour's Depth

May 16th, 2023

Yannick Hanfmann sent shockwaves through the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Tuesday, upsetting sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev in the Round of 16. The German qualifier, ranked 133rd in the world, delivered a stunning performance, overcoming Rublev in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(5) to advance to the quarterfinals.

Hanfmann's Dominant Display

Hanfmann, who had only won one main draw match on the ATP Tour this season, played with incredible determination and composure. He broke Rublev's serve early in the first set and held his own serve comfortably throughout. In the second set, Hanfmann fought back from an early break to force a tiebreaker, which he eventually won 7-5.

Hanfmann's victory is a testament to the depth and competitiveness of the ATP Tour. Even the highest-ranked players can be vulnerable to upsets, and qualifiers can make a significant impact at major tournaments.