Andrey Rublev told why he struggles at Grand Slams and what he needs to improve

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Andrey Rublev is still on the hunt for a win at the ATP Finals after his latest defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz battled through illness to secure a 6-3, 7-6 (10-8) victory over Andrey Rublev in Turin.

The 21-year-old Spaniard, who had to cut his Tuesday practice short due to a chest issue, took to the court wearing a pink nasal strip to aid his breathing.

Alcaraz claimed the first set in just 37 minutes, winning four consecutive games and breaking Rublev’s serve twice.

He wrapped up the second set in a thrilling tie-break, finishing with an impressive 33 winners compared to the Russian’s 14.

The ailing Spaniard was stunned by Casper Ruud on Monday, while Rublev is yet to pick up a set after losing to Alexander Zverev in his opener.

Andrey Rublev told where he needs to improve for major success

Despite reaching 10 Grand Slam quarter-finals, he has yet to ever break through to the semi-finals – a record that continues to spiral.

His most recent run to the last-eight came in Melbourne, where he fell to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Notably, Rublev is one of only two players who have defeated the Italian since August.

Reflecting on his performances, Laura Robson has suggested that his struggles in these crucial moments come down to confidence.

She said on Sky Sports: “His results in Grand Slams, he has lost more than a couple of quarter-finals. In really tough moments, he has kind of come unstuck, been a bit nervous and thrown in a few unforced errors.

“If he just had that belief, he would be winning those matches, because he is such a great player. The way he strikes the ball, it’s so crisp, so clean, so powerful.”

Robson maintained that a subtle change might be what Rublev needs to shift this unwanted record. “He just needs a bit more belief in the key moments,” she concluded.

The 10 opponents Andrey Rublev has lost to in Grand Slam quarter-finals

Rublev, who’s reached a career-high of fifth in the world, has floundered on all four surfaces, making his 10 failed attempts a little more unusual.

With both Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula breaking through their quarter-final ducks this year, it both may have cut Rublev slightly deeper, as well as spur him on.

But what’s holding the Russian back – is it the strength of his opponents, is he bad in a five-set format, or could there be another factor at play?

Eight out the ten times, his opponents were ranked higher than him, which may simply suggest there’s nothing to be ashamed of here.

The defeats to Marin Cilic and Frances Tiafoe can be put down to the two just having exceptional fortnights.

It rather frustratingly leaves Rublev with little to go on – he may just need to keep banging on that door until it finally lets up.