Relentless Rublev wins Masters 1000 crown in Madrid
Rublev defeats Auger Aliassime 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
Who would be the last man standing when so many were killed by injuries and mid-game retirements? Red-hot Russian Andrey Rublev started the season with a title in Hong Kong but has struggled since his last three-set loss against Alexander Bublik in Dubai in February.
Although he was unable to protect his Kings 1000 crown in Monte Carlo last month (l. Popyrin), has entered the dirt in Madrid moving four seeds including the world #3 and two-time defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz.
A twenty-six-year-old woman with fifteen career titles currently ranked 8th has received the highest job position in five 2021. Going to get his second Masters 1000 title, led by Felix Auger Aliassime 4-1 head to head including a tight three-setter last February in Rotterdam.
The FAA he also struggled and saw his level drop from a high level #6 in the middle 2022 at his current level of thirty-five. The twenty-three-year-old Canadian with five career titles has found his form in the Spanish capital with an impressive direct victory in the world #19 Adrian Mannarino and #5 Casper Ruud. He was on the verge of a mid-game retirement (Jakub Menisk & Jiri Lehecka) and a walkover from #1 seed, Jannik Sinner.
(Photo: Getty)
Rublev won the toss and chose to serve and he probably wished he hadn’t as he gave up two consecutive errors and dropped serve. The FAA done 4/5 first serves including an ace out wide and held 15 to combine breaks.
Rublev opened the third with his third double fault but got on the board with two consecutive well-hit serves. The FAA he gave up two unforced errors but a monster wide, caught 30 for 3-1.
I 7The seed opened the fourth with a smash but dropped the server following two groundstroke errors. The Canadian hit three winners in a row to reach it 40-0 but Russia upped the ante with five consecutive winning shots to return to the break.
Rublev put together a break to 15 for 3-4 while The FAA face a deuce before holding 5-3. Rublev missed 5/10 served first, faced two deuces and set the point but with his first ace and two consecutive errors from his opponent, held 4-5. The FAA he made two mistakes in a row but with his fourth ace and two winning hands, he saved a break point and secured the set.
Rublev served for the first time in the second and with two outstanding forehands and a huge tee shot, lovingly caught in the season The FAA you missed it 4/5 the first time you serve while you are caught 15 level. Rublev opened the third with an overhead smash and held on to it 15 for 2-1 while The FAA he hit two more aces to level.
Rublev opened the fifth with his second ace and two straight breaks and an unreturnable serve, held 3-2. The Canadian opened with a hot forehand volley and despite facing deuce and break point, held 3-3 with an excellent backhand drop shot.
Rublev served up three straight faults including his fourth double fault but was held 4-3 when he crushes a forehand crosscourt. The FAA he opened the eighth with a double fault and despite another, he was able to hold on 30 level. World #8 he hit two winners in a row and held on with ease 15 again The FAA he returned the favor with his eighth ace in the match point.
Rublev opened the eleventh with a blistering backhand down the line and held to love 6-5. The Canadian worked to stay in the set and force a breaker, opening with an ace wide but conceding the set with four unforced groundstroke errors.
Rublev served first in the decider and his third ace, held at love. The FAA He hit two consecutive forehands with the tenth winner but struggled as he faced five deuces and two break points before holding.
Rublev held on 30 for 2-1 with a wide ace while The FAA faced double point but was caught with two more tricks. Rublev missed 2/4 first you worship but you are caught in love 3-2 while The FAA It was held in the thirties with two winners in a row.
Both continued to push the ball from the baseline and with exceptional footwork, transitioning effortlessly from defense to attack. Rublev opened the seventh with his fifth ace and a stunning forehand inside, held to love 4-3.
The FAA you missed it 5/10 he started serving, faced two deuces and a break point but held on to level with three impressive winners including his thirteenth ace. Rublev opened the ninth with his sixth ace and in the seventh, he held 15 for 5-4. The FAA Working to stay in the game was hard on the field but it was an uphill climb 5-5.
Rublev missed 3/4 the first time he serves but is caught at love for the fourth time in the third set. The FAA working to stay in the game and force a break, he opened with an ace but two double faults cost him the game. It was an unfortunate end to a very well-played, hard-fought, and exciting game.
After a rough start, Rublev finished with seven aces, five double faults and won 77First % once 60% of points for second offer. He was equally effective when he came back, winning 29First % once 64% of return points given second. He saved 2/4 points break while converting 3/11 and hit twenty-five winners on fifteen unforced errors.
Both will take confidence and form the Foro Italico as the clay court era continues in Rome there 1000 ranking points and bragging rights are still up for grabs.
