Andrey Rublev won his first Madrid Open title after overcoming sickness and dropping the opening set against Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6 7-5 7-5.
The eighth-ranked player in the world, Russian, had a temperature going into Sunday’s final and appeared ill when he fell behind 4-1 in the first set.
However, Rublev battled his way back into the match, winning both sets with strikes to overcome the world no. 35 and claim his second Masters 1,000 title.
“I am speechless,” Rublev remarked. You wouldn’t think that I could win a title if you knew what I had gone through over the previous nine days.
“I’m really joyful. I must give the doctors all the credit they deserve.
