Rublev takes Masters title in Madrid despite illness: ‘I was almost dead, every day’ | Tennis

The 26-year-old Rublev defeated Auger-Aliassime, three years younger, in three sets: 4-6, 7-5 and 7-5. The number eight in the world decided the game after almost three hours on his first match point.

Auger-Aliassime had quite a bit of luck in Madrid this week. He saw both Jirí Lehecka and Jakub Mensík retire and was given a free passage to the semi-finals due to Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal.

Moreover, Rublev did not start the final completely fit, because he was ill. Nevertheless, the Russian fought back into the match after losing the first set and dominated the rallies. The third set seemed to end in a tiebreak, but in the twelfth game Rublev struck on Auger-Aliassime’s serve.

For Rublev it is his second title this year and the sixteenth in his career. Earlier this season he triumphed in Hong Kong.

Rublev said in the on-court interview that he was proudest of this title, given the state he has been in in recent days. “I have no words for what I have been going through the past few days. I was almost dead, every day.”

“The last three days I have hardly slept. Many thanks to the doctors who did magical things so that I was able to play.”