Felix Auger Aliassime advances to his first Masters 1000 final after Jiri Lehecka was forced to withdraw from the match. Lehecka suffered from an injury in his lower back during the sixth game of the night session semifinal.
Lehecka left court for treatment from the physiotherapist after Auger Aliassime held serve for 3-3. The Czech player tried to continue playing but he fell to the court at 30-0, before approaching to the net in tears. Auger Aliassime comforted Lehecka with a hug.
Auger Aliassime will take on Andrey Rublev, who beat Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-3. Rublev leads 4-1 in his five head-to-head matches against Auger Aliassime and beat his Canadian opponent 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 in the Round of 16 in Rotterdam last February. Four of their five previous matches went to the third set.
For the second time at this tournament Auger Aliassime advanced after his opponent was unable to complete a match. Jakub Mensik retired after losing the first set of his third round match against Auger Aliassime, who later reached the quarter final via walkover after Jannik Sinner retired from the match due to a hip injury.
Auger Aliassime, who was sidelined by a knee injury for much of the year, will return to the top 20 in the ATP Rankings on Monday.
Lehecka beat Rafael Nadal in the fourth round in the Spaniard’s final Madrid Mutua Open.
“It’s crazy. I don’t know if it’s ever to a player before. It’s a weird situation to be in on my part. It’s never happened to me in my career so far, a withdrawal or a walkover or retirement of this sort, and back-to-back like this. I could not believe what was happening when I saw his back blocked on him. I feel really bad for him. I have had injuries myself. We can imagine how it feels to come out on a night like this, hoping to win to go through, having a battle with your opponent, and not being able to play. I have a lot of empathy for Jiri, and I can’ do anything but try to prepare for Sunday”, said Auger Aliassime.
