IT WAS the win that just had to happen for the world number 10. Russian Andrey Rublev has had a horror run in 2025, with losses to Marton Fucsovics and Joao Fonseca in Hong Kong and the Australian Open respectively to start the year without a ‘W’ to his name.

That changed last night as the top seed rolled into the Open Occitanie quarter finals courtesy of a 6-4 6-3 triumph over American Christopher Eubanks. Granted Eubanks’ fall from grace has been even more severe given the 28-year-old features way down in 111th after cracking the top 30 just 18 months ago, but it was still a strong win from the Russian who simply needed the taste of victory again.

It had been a long time coming for the Russian who snuck into the ATP Finals last year but essentially made up the numbers losing all three matches. His last win came three months ago in Metz against Italian Lorenzo Sonego before having to retire from his quarter finals appearance. After failing to win across Australasia in the first month of 2025, Rublev has returned to France and is on the board.

It was not one of his best wins from the Russian who should blast past most opponents in the Open Occitanie ATP 250 draw, but it was one that showed signs of a turnaround. Having been a little wild in his past matches, Rublev committed just 10 unforced errors for the match (Eubanks hit 24), while both hit 22 winners.

He only dropped three points off his first serve (89 per cent) and eight off his second (60 per cent), saving all three break points he faced, and converting three of six off the American’s serve. All up, it was a tidy performance where he never really looked like losing, and got some valuable court time against an opponent whose best would worry quite a few players.

The Russian was able to close off rallies within six shots to win 54 of 92 against an opponent who likewise tries to do the same. Without a double fault for the match and 13 of his 22 winners coming off his forehand, he was able to hit some great shots off that wing. Eubanks looked to vary his game, approaching the net and volleying six winners that way, while Rublev stayed in his comfortable baseline position and through his class and consistency, got the job done.

Being top seed with a bye in the opening round, Rublev has the ability to rest up and wait another couple of days before taking on either French seventh seed Arthur Rinderknech or returning Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili in the quarter finals. If the Russian can replicate his form from his Round of 16 match, neither should give a player of his quality much trouble.

In other results, second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime also booked his place in the quarter finals, winning through after his first round bye with a hard-fought 6-4 7-6 victory over young Frenchman Arthur Cazaux. His next opponent in eighth seeded Chinese hope Yunchaokete Bu who completely dismantled another local hope in qualifier Constant Lestienne, winning 6-2 6-1 in 64 minutes.

The fourth match overnight was that of Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik locking in for a 6-4 6-2 triumph over German Dominik Koepfer. While Auger-Aliassime and Bu will face off, the remaining seeded winners are waiting for the last four matches which take place tonight. That sees Italian Flavio Cobolli up against Dutchman Jesper De Jong, the latter’s fifth seed compatriot Tallon Griekspoor taking on French veteran Richard Gasquet, while Mattia Bellucci and American qualifier Aleksandar Kovacevic also meet.

OPEN OCCITANIE ATP 250 – ROUND OF 16 RESULTS:

[1] Andrey Rublev (RUS) defeated Christopher Eubanks (USA) 6-4 6-3
[2] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) defeated Arthur Cazaux (FRA) 6-4 7-6
[4] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) defeated Dominik Koepfer (GER) 6-4 6-2
[8] Yunchaokete Bu (CHN) defeated [Q] Constant Lestienne (FRA) 6-2 6-1