Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime can be squaring off for the sixth time of their careers once they battle for the Mutua Madrid Open title on Sunday afternoon. Rublev leads the head-to-head collection 4-1. He’s 1-0 towards Auger-Aliassime in 2024 (3-6, 7-6(6), 7-5 on the indoor arduous courts of Rotterdam) and 1-0 on clay (6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3) six years in the past in Umag).
To say that this a stunning remaining matchup could be a gross understatement. Rublev had been on a four-match dropping streak heading into Madrid, securing only a single win in his final six matches. Auger-Aliassime had been saddled with a modest 11-10 file for his 2024 marketing campaign and had gained a number of matches in solely one in every of his earlier seven tournaments.
Shocking for each guys this fortnight has resulted in Rublev’s fifth Masters 1000 remaining and Auger-Aliassime’s first. Rublev triumphed on the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters and was some extent away from doing the identical final fall in Shanghai.
It’s secure to say that Auger-Aliassime has gotten a whole lot of assist en path to his first title match at this degree. In actual fact, the 23-year-old Canadian has accomplished solely three matches in Madrid. Along with wins over Yoshihito Nishioka, Adrian Mannarino, and Casper Ruud, he received a walkover from Jannik Sinner and retirements from Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka.
Rublev has been examined towards wholesome opponents from begin to end, however he was largely untroubled on the best way to Sunday’s remaining. The world No. 8 dropped a set to Carlos Alcaraz within the quarterfinals to associate with straight-set victories on the expense of Facundo Bagnis, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Tallon Griekspoor, and Taylor Fritz.
Rublev has been the most effective participant all event lengthy and has expertise in Masters finals, so he ought to have the benefit on this one.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can observe him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
