Rublev beats Fritz to reach Madrid Open final against Auger
MADRID (AP) — Andrey Rublev beat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 on Friday to reach the Madrid Open final where he will meet Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Auger-Aliassime advanced after Jiri Lehecka had to retire at 3-3 in the first set of their semifinal and joined the list of players injured at the event.
The men’s final for the clay-court event is on Sunday.
The eighth-ranked Rublev entered Madrid on a four-game losing streak after early exits in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He has won four straight in Spain’s capital, including against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
“It’s crazy,” Rublev said. “It’s the good thing about sports, about tennis. One week can change everything, you have to remember that ... because you can’t perform always at 100%, so it is normal there will be ups and downs.”
Rublev is seeking his 16th career title and his second of the season after winning Hong Kong in January. He has a 5-1 record against Auger-Aliassime, including a win in their sole matchup on clay.