Andrey Rublev overcame an opening set wobble to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6 7-5 7-5 in the final of the Madrid Open on Sunday, to win his second Masters 1000 title.
Auger-Aliassime was chasing his first ever Masters title and looked well set for victory before a resurgent Rublev, who had been struggling with a fever during the tournament and recovered to prevail in a little under three hours.
The Russian world number eight said he was “almost dead every day” and could barely sleep this week after securing a career second Masters 1000 victory.
The 26-year-old had come into the tournament in Madrid in poor form having lost his previous four matches on the tour but dropped only two sets en route to the title.
Auger-Aliassime had moved into the final when three of his five opponents in Madrid gave him walkovers, including top seed Jannik Sinner who pulled out with an injury before their quarter-final clash.
(Inputs: Reuters)