Andrey Rublev overcame a virus to claim his second Masters 1000 title with a 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 comeback win over Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Mutua Madrid Open.
The 26-year-old, who triumphed in Monte-Carlo in 2023, arrived in the Spanish capital after a four-game losing streak.
However, the seventh seed played almost his best to reach the final and then fought deep into title contention to claim the biggest win of his year after two hours and 47 minutes.
“I am at a loss for words. If you knew what I went through in the last nine days, you wouldn’t imagine that I could win a title,” said Rublev, who struggled with fever at times during the tournament. “I am incredibly happy. This one week changed everything because now it looks like I haven’t lost in the first round for the last few weeks!”
“I have to give full credit to the doctors. They did some tricky things and at least I was able to play.”
Rublev, who beat second seed Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals before battling past Taylor Fritz to reach the final, got off to the worst possible start when he was quickly sent off with two double faults in the first game of the match and the Russian fell to 1 :4 behind when Auger-Aliassime scored several winners.
The seventh seed fought back and managed to break Auger-Aliassime, but the Canadian was in control at that point and made the most of his powerful forehand before securing the first set on serve with a stunning winner at the net.
But Rublev, who eliminated second seed and home favorite Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, was far more aggressive with his shots in the second set, which came on serve.
The Russian also found his range on his first serve and repeatedly pushed Auger-Aliassime on the defensive before securing the decisive break at 6:5 and thus forcing the decisive set.
There was also déjà vu in the last set, which accompanied the serve until Rublev broke again at 6:5.
Auger-Aliassime was under pressure as he served to stay in the contest, but he made two double faults, the second handing Rublev the title and ensuring a disappointing end to the final.
“I would say this is the proudest title of my career,” Rublev said. “I was almost dead every day. I didn’t sleep at night. I haven’t slept for the last three or four days.”
Story from the tape
“Samadhi, now I am free”
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