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'I don’t know if it’s ever happened,' Felix Auger-Aliassime gets his 3rd walkover in Madrid as unfortunate Jiri Lehecka is forced to retire

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Achintya A A | Last updated 5/3/24

It’s injuries galore at the Madrid Open, as the red clay seems to be getting the better of many pros. In the last two days alone, four players, including the top three seeds Jannik Sinner , Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev , suffered injuries.

Felix Auger-Aliassime has made it to his first final in a long time, but fans are unsure what to expect as three of his last four matches ended with the opponent withdrawing due to injuries. Jiri Lehecka, the Czech youngster who was in the form of his life, defeating the King of Clay in his domain, made it to his first ever Masters level semifinal after world number 4 Daniil Medvedev was forced to retire yesterday due to an issue with his right leg.

Unfortunately, the 22-year-old suffered a leg injury of his own today, just as things were getting heated in the first set against Auger-Aliassime. He was forced to retire at 3-3.

I don’t know if it’s ever happened. Felix Auger-Aliassime on getting three walkovers in a single tournament

Auger Aliassime advances to his first Masters final as Jiri Lehecka retires due to injury.

Sad way for Jiri’s tournament to end… he had an incredible run.

Wishing him a speedy recovery ❤️‍

Happy to see Felix back into another final.

He’s playing some brilliant tennis pic.twitter.com/3RQAGoolTy
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 3, 2024

Auger-Aliassime will now be playing his first tour-level final in over six months.

Felix Auger-Aliassime looking to find top form again

Not much can be said about the Canadian’s form as he has only played three full matches in his six rounds at the tournament. He seems to be on the rise again, after a long run of bad results, taking out Casper Ruud who was one of the favorites to win the title.

However, his last two matches were anticlimactic with both Sinner and Lehecka offering walkover. Felix Auger-Aliassime will be heading into the final with very little match play compared to his opponent, Andrey Rublev, who has been demolishing everything in his way with his powerful strokes and unbelievable service games.

The final will happen on Sunday with the Russian seemingly a better pick. But the world is yet to see what Auger-Aliassime truly has in store for the fans.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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