Russian teen sets up dream match

YOUNGSTER TO TAKE ON HIS IDOL RAFA NADAL If it goes well it could be Wimbledon champion Federer.

Russian teen Andrey Rublev, inspired by other young stars of Russian parentage, is the youngest US Open quarterfinalist since Andy Roddick in 2001 and on a collision course with his idol Rafael Nadal.

The 53rd-ranked 19-year-old dispatched Belgian ninth seed David Goffin 7-5, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 onMonday to book a last-eight date today with the 15-time Grand Slam champion and world No 1.

“I’m just going to try to enjoy,” Rublev said. “This is going to be a good challenge for me to see how far I am from the top players and how much more I need to work.”

Rublev will try to become the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist since Nadal at the 2005 French Open and the US Open’s youngest since Australian Lleyton Hewitt in 2000.

“I think normal, like always. It’s a quarterfinal. But in general it is just a match,” Rublev said. “I hope it’s not my last quarterfinal on the ATP Tour. I have to try to not show emotions, to try to be focused, to try to fight.”

Rublev’s run caps an impressive season by rising stars like Canadian teen Denis Shapovalov, into the US Open last-16, and German fourth seed Alexander Zverev, a five-time winner this year – both born to Russian parents in other nations.

“I think it’s quite good that they are genetically Russian guys, even if they are a different nationality,” Rublev said. “Their winning is quite good – for Russians.”

It also bolsters Rublev’s confidence as he prepares to test how deep he can go in a Grand Slam event.

Rublev says he is not intimidated by facing someone with the success of Nadal or Roger Federer, a possible semifinal foe.

“I’m thinking more like it’s amazing what they are doing. When I see this, I feel they’re really legends,” Rublev said.

He turned to tennis after liking the game his mother coached more than football or boxing, which his dad coached. – AFP