Andrey Rublev battles past Auger-Aliassime to win Madrid Open title
The Russian won his second Masters 1000 title, beating Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 to clinch the Madrid Open title
Andrey Rublev wins the 2024 Madrid Open title © Manu Fernandez/AP/SIPA
Andrey Rublev recovered from a slow start and an overnight bout of sickness to defeat Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 and win his first Madrid Open title.
It is the Russian’s second Masters 1000 title – both of which have come on clay – adding to his victory in Monte-Carlo last season. With it, he rises two places to No 6 in the world.
More notably, Rublev has snapped a four-match losing streak in remarkable fashion, turning that form on its head to win six in a row in a highly unexpected title run in the Spanish capital.
It was an unlikely final all round, as Auger-Aliassime had also been struggling with form prior to Madrid, albeit over a longer period than that of his opponent.
After a series of withdrawals in the men’s singles across the latter stages of the tournament, the final also looked to be in some peril early on, as Rublev was evidently under the weather after what was apparently a feverish night on the eve of the final for the 26-year-old.
That was clear in the opening exchanges as the Canadian started strongly, hitting with purpose and precision to leave a visibly off-colour Rublev struggling as he was broken to love in the first game of the match.
Auger-Aliassime was dialled in, breaking his ailing opponent again in the fifth game as a subdued Caja Magica crowd looked set for another quick-fire men’s singles match.
However, Rublev broke straight back in the sixth to earn himself a glimmer of hope as well as some much-needed momentum.
The rest of the set went on serve, with both players fending off a break point each in their final two games before the Canadian took a comfortable opener on his second set point.
rublev restored to his usual self in second set
Rublev looked much more himself at the start of the second stanza, holding his first three games with confident ball-striking as he appeared to improve from the hangovers of his overnight illness that had hampered him for the first half hour of the match.
The rest of the set went on serve until the twelfth and final game, when Rublev took full advantage of a loose service game from Auger-Aliassime, converting his second of two break points to clinch the middle stanza in a rapid momentum shift.
With so much on the line, the Canadian had appeared to tighten up as a tiebreak came into view, losing focus on keeping serve as Rublev was waiting to pounce.
The Russian looked to carry that momentum into the deciding set as he held before applying pressure on Auger-Aliassime’s serve, generating two break point opportunities. But the Canadian stayed firm, saving both to hold serve after a 12-minute game.
But the entire complexion of the final had now changed, with Rublev racing serenely through his service games before putting maximum pressure on his opponent each time he stepped to the baseline to serve.
By the sixth game, Auger-Aliassime had played nearly double the number of points on serve compared to Rublev.
It didn’t help that the Canadian required treatment on his legs for what looked like cramp during a change of ends.
He simply could not get a foothold in his opponent’s serve, with Rublev losing just three points across six service games in the final set.
Yet, the current world No 35 was resolute, refusing to give up his serve despite relentless pressure. Saving five break points in total in the third, Auger-Aliassime held firm until the twelfth game.
As in the second set, the Canadian buckled in the very last game, with Rublev converting his first championship point courtesy of a ill-timed double-fault from his opponent to seal his second Masters 1000 title after an epic encounter.
rublev pays tribute to medics after night of illness ahead of final
“Congrats to Andrey. Very deserving winner,” the typically gracious Auger-Aliassime said in his runner-up speech.
“Congrats to you and your team. I tried until the end. I’m sorry I made you overthink I was struggling. But it’s okay. You’re a great player.
“We always have a good time on tour. Very deserved and well done. Thank you all for coming. I love playing in Madrid.”
Rublev revealed in his on-court interview that he had nearly pulled out of the match on the eve of the final.
“I was [thinking of pulling out of the tournament]. There were a few issues I couldn’t fix. I have to give full credit to the doctors. They’re magicians,” Rublev said.
“Somehow I was able to at least play. I’ve never seen this in my life.
“I would say this is the most proud title of my career.”
In his winner’s speech, Rublev then paid tribute to his opponent.
“Thanks to Felix. I know it’s very disappointing to lose the match like this. I know the feeling,” he said.
“I’ve said this many times and I won’t be tired to say it again. You’re a true inspiration to me as a player, for the spectators and kids, how professional and humble you are.
“I hope you’ll have much more success in the future.”
double-masters 1000 titlist rublev earns unlikely win
Auger-Aliassime will leave Madrid desperately disappointed not to get this one over the line, especially after the double-fault on championship point when he’d defended his serve so admirably throughout.
But, on the other hand, a first Masters 1000 final is a blessing given the struggles he has had over the past year.
Auger-Aliassime is too talented a player not to turn his fortunes around. Despite a somewhat fortuitous run to the final in Madrid, he was a very worthy finalist in the showpiece and played his part in what turned out to be a highly watchable final.
For Rublev, this is one to savour. He has backed up his breakthrough triumph in Monte-Carlo last year by once again showing he is a superb clay-courter, taking his second Masters 1000 title in Madrid to solidify his spot as one of the world’s elite.
The big challenge for him now will be using this platform to push onto greater heights. The immediate target should be to break the ten-match losing streak he has in Grand Slam quarter-finals and push on for success at a major.
This title win will only increase the scrutiny on him on the biggest stages.
For now, though, he will rightly bask in a highly unexpected, but very well deserved triumph.
Rublev can sleep tonight knowing that he is a double-Masters 1000 champion.
Not bad for someone who had lost four on the spin just a little over a week ago.
