Rublev sets up Cilic clash in Geneva
Andrey Rublev will meet second seed Marin Cilic at the Geneva Open after beating Jarkko Nieminen in the first round on Sunday.
Andrey Rublev made an impressive start to the Geneva Open on Sunday with a first-round victory over Santiago Giraldo.
The Russian teenager has risen 263 places in the world rankings this year and his 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) win sees him into the second round of a fifth tournament this season.
Rublev – the youngest player in the draw at 17 – broke three times in the opening set, but was unable to find a way through in the second as Nieminen's experience helped him level the match.
However, the Finn was unable to stop Rublev as he booked a meeting with second seed Marin Cilic.
Santiago Giraldo joins the youngster in round two after he too was made to battle for his place, the Colombian eventually seeing off Ricardas Berankis 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-3.
Meanwhile, there were also first-round qualifying wins for Damir Dzumhur, Andrey Kuznetsov, Lukas Rosol and Adriano Mannarino.