Andrey Rublev claimed that followers on the Shanghai Masters stopped watching his match in opposition to Ugo Humbert after they realised that Roger Federer was within the crowd. The fifth seed might be seen smiling when he realised the 20-time Major winner was within the stands. Rublev went on to defeat the Frenchman 6-2 6-3 to succeed in the semi-final.

Federer returned to the Shanghai Masters on Friday as he was named the "icon athlete" of the event and honoured in a particular ceremony in between the 2 singles matches of the day. The former world No 1 acquired a gift, recalled a few of his outdated matches in Shanghai and answered some followers' questions throughout the presentation - which also saw him hug a lion mascot.

Rublev and Humbert then took to the courtroom for the final quarter-final of the event. It was their fifth profession assembly with the head-to-head break up at 2-2 - together with a gathering finally week's China Open the place Humbert defeated the 25-year-old. This time round, Rublev acquired his revenge as he got here by in straight units.

Federer took his seat part-way by the competition and Rublev later addressed his presence, admitting it took the eye away from the tennis. "No he didn’t distract me at all but all the people, they stopped focusing on the match because they only focus on Roger," he laughed.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news

"So they were not watching any more tennis, they were watching only Roger." Rublev himself was all smiles when he realised that the tennis icon was within the crowd as he returned to the baseline for the second set after taking the primary 6-2.

The world No 7 is the very best seed left within the draw and he'll now face Grigor Dimitrov for a spot within the remaining. The pair lately fashioned a bromance throughout the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Frankfurt - a collection of exhibition-style tennis tournaments performed with unconventional guidelines. 

At the time, Rublev declared: "I think, if I was a girl, I would be completely in love with Grigor. Even being a man, I am in love with Grigor." And the Russian admitted that it might be powerful to face one in every of his good mates within the semi-final.

Speaking after his quarter-final win, Rublev mentioned: "It’s going to be a tough match first of all because he’s a friend and I like him and obviously the second part he’s a really great player and it’s really tough to beat him when he feels the game, when he’s in form, he can play amazing.

"We might see this week he’s enjoying rather well. Especially the match with [Carlos] Alcaraz. Last time he beat me in straight units so we’ll see. I hope we will present nice tennis and folks can take pleasure in. I do not know, I simply want all the very best for each of us and [let's see] who will deserve extra to win."