ANDREY Rublev became Madrid Open champion following beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 7-5 and 7-5 in the final match, Sunday (5/5). This Madrid Open title is Rublev’s second title this year.
The top eight ranked Russian tennis player lost four matches in a row before taking part in the Madrid Open. However, he managed to recover following losing the first set to win the second Masters 1000 title of his career.
The 26-year-old won the Hong Kong Open in January but has since found his best form before rebounding at the Madrid Open, where he dropped just one set en route to the final.
“I think this is an extraordinary fight. Felix deserves to be champion as much as I did today. We showed a great fight. I think the audience enjoyed this fight,” said Rublev.
Auger-Aliassime advanced to the final of the Madrid Open following his semi-final opponent Jiri Lehecka and in the quarter-finals Jannik Sinner withdrew due to injury.
Even so, the 23-year-old Canadian performed well in his first Masters 1000 tournament final.
Also read: Carlos Alcaraz Eliminated in the Madrid Open Quarter-Finals
Auger-Aliassime started the match well and took a 4-1 lead in the first set.
Rublev then came back and cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Russian saved a set point and made it 5-4 before Auger-Aliassime ended the first set 6-4.
In the second set, both players maintained their serve until the 12th game when Rublev recorded two set points and finally forced the match to continue to the third set.
In the third set, which was also tight, Auger-Aliassime made a double fault which made Rublev emerge as the winner. (AFP/Z-1)
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