Rarely, if not ever, has something similar to what he experienced been seen. Very happy Auger these last two weeks at the Mutua Madrid. The Canadian, protagonist of one of the most bizarre paths to a final in memory, will fight for the title after having passed three of the six rounds he has played in the tournament due to the withdrawal of his rivals: Jakub Mensik in the round of 32, Jannik Sinner, before starting the quarterfinals and Jiri Lehecka, in the semifinals. Disappeared from the map for a year, the current number 35 in the ranking has almost accidentally found himself with a unique opportunity to win his first Masters 1,000upon landing in the final this Sunday (18.30; Movistar and TDP) more than rested.
It is not clear if the other finalist, Andrey Rublev, gets carried away a lot by supertitionbut seeing the precedents, he should be afraid when crossing paths with Auger, although more because of his history of victims in the last days than by the level demonstrated so far. The Russian, who eliminated two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, has reunited in Madrid with the best version of himself after two horrible monthsin which he had been eliminated in the first round and without winning a single set in the four tournaments he played until landing in Madrid (Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona).
Guadianesque like few Rublev, possessor of blows that are not within the reach of many tennis players but tending towards disconnection, after going through the worst streak of his life he now sees himself, suddenly, in the fifth Masters 1,000 final of his career. In it, and against an a priori affordable rival after the havoc caused by injuries in an edition damn of the Mutua Madrid Open, the number eight in the world and favorite by ranking in the final will try to conquer the one It would be his second trophy in a tournament of this category after winning in Monte Carlo in 2023
Unlike in the women’s team, where the WTA number 1 and 2, Iga Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka, they made the predictions good by repeating the 2023 final, the men’s team has suffered so many accidents that for a moment it seemed cursed. None of the main contenders for the title before the tournament began has survived, largely due to the plague of injuries that plagues the circuit in this part of the season and that has put the Mutua Madrid Open and its great figures in check.
“These are crazy times in our sport”
“I don’t think I’m the protagonist now., but them. Jannik [Sinner] he also had to retire; Carlos [Alcaraz] has renounced Rome today… These are crazy times in the elite of our sport, with many withdrawals in all tournaments. For me it is strange not to have played too much and to be in the final. At least I was able to play a great game against Casper [Ruud, en los octavos]but there is not much more to say,” said Auger-Aliassime, incredulous, after having sneaked into a Masters 1,000 final without having barely played.
Carlos Alcaraz, at the Mutua Madrid Open. / Europa Press
“Every day you go out to the court to play or train is a risk. You go full force, at maximum intensity, so in the end, it doesn’t matter what you do. Every day is a risk. We are not lying in bed. When you feel physically well, there is less chance of something happening to you, and if you don’t do well, take care of yourself or rest, the risk increases. Each player is responsible for himself, so you have to know your body, know when you can exceed the limits or when you should slow down. Every day is a risk, in any part of life,” the Russian assumes about the problems that mark the passage of a lackluster tournament.
Novak Djokovic did not even show up and got off the boat before starting due to elbow problems. Carlos Alcarazcurrent champion, fell to Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals, although it later became clear that he played the entire tournament handicapped by his forearm problems. Sinner, first seed, withdrew due to a hip injury without playing his quarterfinal match. AND Medvedev He had to leave in the middle of his match against Leheckawho was also injured and ended up retiring as soon as they started their semifinal match.
That, and their good work, gave Rublev and Auger-Aliassime the chance in one of the least attractive finals in memory of the 21 years of the Madrid Masters, at least a priori. Although the title, at the end of the day, counts the same, and if not, let them tell whoever wins it this Sunday.
2024-05-05 05:33:51
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