Canadian tennis player Felix Auger-Aliassime (world number 35) will face Russian Andrei Rublev (world number 8) in the final of the €7,877,020 ATP Masters 1,000 tournament in Madrid, following the withdrawal of Czech Jiri Lehecka, injured, in the second semi-final on Friday.
Auger-Aliassime and Lechecka (31 ATP) were tied 3-3 in the first set when Lehecka gave up and retired after about 30 minutes of play at 30-15 on his serve, ending the last point on his knees, grimacing in pain. Earlier, the Czech had left the field visibly embarrassed, receiving medical care for his back.
Auger-Aliassime will play an ATP Masters 1,000 tournament final for the first time in his career, at the age of 23, in rare circumstances, the Canadian having previously taken advantage, in the quarters, of the withdrawal of Italian number two Jannik Sinner due to pain in his right hip .
“It’s never happened to me in my career so far. Withdrawals one after another…”, admitted the Canadian.
Lehecka also took advantage in the quarters of an abandonment by the Russian Daniil Medvedev, world number four, after the Czech had won the first set 6-4.
On Friday, Andrei Rublev qualified for the final, following an emotionless victory over the American Taylor Fritz (13 ATP), 6-4, 6-3.
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