Rublev speeds past Baez to avenge past defeat in Nordea Open

Andrey Rublev secured his spot in the Nordea Open semifinals, avenging a previous defeat against Sebastian Baez. The top seed and 2023 champion in Bastad won decisively, 6-1, 6-2, in just one hour.

Rublev expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting it was a significant test against Baez, who had beaten him easily four years prior. "It feels great," Rublev said. "First of all, to be back in Bastad and then second to be back here in the semi-final after a great win against a tough player, whom I only played once, in Sebastian. It was here in Bastad, and he beat me quite easily, so for me it was a great challenge today to see the changes that I’m doing. It was a good test for me, and I felt very proud to be able to win in straight sets."

The victory marks Rublev's 50th tour-level semifinal appearance, placing him among an elite group of players born after 1990 to reach this milestone. He has a 23-13 record for the season and is aiming for his second final of 2026 after Barcelona.

In other matches, Luciano Darderi advanced to the semifinals by defeating Nuno Borges 7-6(9), 6-4. Darderi will face Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, who became the first Paraguayan to reach an ATP Tour semifinal since 2002.

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It feels great. First of all, to be back in Bastad and then second to be back here in the semi-final after a great win against a tough player, whom I only played once, in Sebastian. It was here in Bastad, and he beat me quite easily, so for me it was a great challenge today to see the changes that I’m doing. It was a good test for me, and I felt very proud to be able to win in straight sets.