Russian teen Andrey Rublev, inspired by other young stars of Russian parentage, is the youngest U.S. Open quarter-finalist 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 Monday to book a last-eight date Wednesday with 15-time Grand Slam champion and world number one Nadal.
"I'm just going to try to enjoy," Rublev said. "This is going to be good challenge for me to see how far I am from the top players and how much more I need to work."
"He has amazing legs. He has amazing defense. And me, I have good shots. I can play really fast, in fast rhythm," he added. Rublev will try to become the youngest Grand Slam semi-finalist since Nadal at the 2005 French Open and the U.S. Open's youngest since Australian Lleyton Hewitt in 2000.
"I think normal, like always. It's a quarterfinal. But in general is just a match," Rublev said. "I hope it's not my last quarterfinal on the ATP Tour. I have to try to don't show emotions, to try to be focused, to try to fight."
