The scorching hot ATP 250 event in Montpellier is on, and the quarterfinal clash between World No. 10 Andrey Rublev and former Top 20 player Nikoloz Basilashvili is upon us. Rublev is a clear favorite on paper, but the recent resurgence of Basilashvili makes this match far from a given.
While the two have traveled divergent paths in the recent past, Rublev remains one of the players in the ATP's Top 10, performing at the top level with each passing match, Basilashvili fell off the radar owing to his struggle for form and off-court problems. The Georgian has been in good form over the last weeks and will look forward to proving that he is still relevant to the big stages.
This is an intriguing matchup, with the head-to-head record split at 3-3. Can Basilashvili pull off another upset, or will Rublev's firepower prove too much? Let's break it down.
Claim Your Welcome BonusAndrey Rublev
Avidly regarded as one of the hardest hitters in the ATP tour, Andrey Rublev brings a truly attacking baseline game to bear on their opponents. Serving solid and coming up great upon his breakpoints when needed in most instances, Andrey will seek to further bring this winning game into his bout against Ben Shelton 6-4 6-3.
The biggest strengths in Rublev's game include his relentless power off both wings, high energy playing style, and the capability of dictating rallies with his forehand. Over the years, his serve has improved; once his first serve is firing well, such as against Eubanks, he is indeed very difficult to break down.
At the same time, Rublev can be unpredictable at times, especially when his emotions get ahead of him. He usually struggles against counterpunchers and players who can take time away from him, which Basilashvili had done with moderate success in the past against him.
Nikoloz Basilashvili
Nikoloz Basilashvili is a confident player, and he has loads of it at the moment. Ranked No. 178 in the world, the Georgian hasn't had great years lately, but he did show glimpses of revival as he won his fourth successive match. His win over Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets, 6-0, 7-6 underlined how dominant he can be in patches while clutch at junctures.
Basilashvili is known to be ultra-aggressive and hits the ball super flat. The man can overwhelm even the very best when in form, such as in those career-best wins against Federer, Medvedev, and yes—Rublev himself. But his game is high-risk, and inconsistency has been his biggest downfall.
Expert Betting Tips
Handicap Games – Basilashvili +5 @ 1.6 Odds on 1xbet:-
Rublev might win, but Basilashvili’s recent form suggests he can keep the match close. A 4.5-game head start for the Georgian offers decent value.
Total Games – Over 21.5 Games @ 1.83 Odds on Betway:-
Both players have shown strong serving in this tournament, and Basilashvili’s ability to take sets deep makes this an attractive bet. Even if Rublev wins, we could see a tight battle.
Set Correct Score – Rublev 2-1 @ 3.60 Odds on Bet365:-
Rublev is the favorite, but Basilashvili is playing well enough to steal a set. A 2-1 victory for the Russian seems like a plausible outcome.
Other predictions
