Andrey Rublev overcame a gap set wobble to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6 7-5 7-5 within the closing of the Madrid Open to win his second Masters 1000 title.
Auger-Aliassime was chasing his first Masters title and seemed set for victory earlier than a resurgent Rublev, 26, who had been battling a fever through the match, recovered to prevail in a little bit beneath three hours.
The Russian had come into the match in Madrid in poor kind having misplaced his earlier 4 matches on the tour however dropped solely two units en path to the title.
“No words, if you knew what I’ve been through in the last nine days, you wouldn’t imagine that I would be able to win a title. Last six weeks I was losing in the first rounds,” Rublev mentioned.
“I was (close to pulling out) because there were few issues I couldn’t fix, but I have to give full credit to the doctors. They were magical and did some tricky things. Somehow I was able to play. I’ve never seen this in my life.
“I’d say that is probably the most proud title of my profession. I did not sleep properly the final three-four days.”
Auger-Aliassime had moved into the final when three of his five opponents in Madrid gave him walkovers, including top seed Jannik Sinner, who pulled out with an injury before their quarter-final clash.
Questions about whether the unseeded Canadian deserved to be in the final were put to rest in the opening set when he clinically dismantled Rublev’s serve.
Rublev had the worst possible start when he was broken to love in the first game of the match with two double faults and the Russian quickly found himself 4-1 down as Auger-Aliassime fired several winners.
The seventh seed fought back and managed to break Auger-Aliassime but the Canadian was well in control by then, serving well to make optimal use of his strong forehand before sealing the opening set on serve with a resounding winner at the net.
But Rublev, who had eliminated second seed and home favourite Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, was far more aggressive with his shot-making in the second set which went with serve.
The Russian also found his range on his first serve and constantly put Auger-Aliassime on the backfoot before clinching the decisive break when he was up 6-5 to force a decider.
It was a case of deja vu in the final set too which went with serve until Rublev broke again at 6-5.
Auger-Aliassime was beneath strain as he served to remain within the contest however he made two double faults, the second handing the title to Rublev in an anti-climactic finish to the ultimate.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
