Rublev relaunches perfectly in Madrid!

With a much more consistent performance, the Russian was able to break back at the right moment (4-6, 7-5 in 1h41). With an imperious serve (80% of points won on first serve, 0 break points conceded), the Moscow native pushed his opponent into a decisive third act.

For his part, Auger-Aliassime seemed a little less up to the task (8 winners, 14 unforced errors) and will need to rediscover his superb form if he is not to see the title slip from his grasp.