Andrey Rublev advanced to the Estoril Open quarterfinals with a straight-sets victory on Thursday. The top seed defeated Timofey Skatov 6-1, 6-1 in 59 minutes.
Rublev, who received a first-round bye, hit 26 winners and broke his opponent six times. The win marked his fifth straight victory and came after he captured the Bastad title earlier this month.
In a post-match exchange, a reporter noted his seven quarterfinal appearances in 2026. Rublev replied with a laugh, asking how many first-round losses he had recorded this year.
The Russian now faces Luca Van Assche in the quarterfinals. A victory would keep alive his bid for back-to-back titles before the clay-court swing concludes.
