Andrey Rublev beats Taylor Fritz to reach Madrid Open final

Andrey Rublev has advanced to his sixth Masters 1000 final thanks to an impressive victory over Taylor Fritz, defeating the American 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open.

The Russian displayed clinical form as he decisively overcame Fritz, preventing the world No. 13 from reaching his maiden clay-court Masters final.

The high-altitude conditions in the Spanish capital had favoured Fritz’s big-serving game, but it was Rublev who seemed most comfortable inside Manolo Santana as his powerful attacking style overwhelmed the American’s defenses.

The pair exchanged breaks in the opening two games of the match, before Rublev unexpectedly broke again in the tenth and final game of the opener to take a one-set lead.

It was an unusual lapse from Fritz, whose serve had appeared strong until that point, before he lost the set after being broken to love.

If it was a case of nerves, they seemed to strike again in the sixth game of the second set, as Rublev broke for the third time in the match to firmly control the contest.

The American held well in the eighth game to force his opponent to serve for the victory, but Rublev remained composed and level-headed throughout as he comfortably served out an excellent win.

“Mentally I’ve been feeling much better,” Rublev said.

“I was able to perform putting emotions in the right direction. It helped me to be in the final. Without this, I wouldn’t be in the final.”

It will be Rublev’s sixth Masters 1000 final when he takes on either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Jiri Lehecka in on Sunday, and only his second on clay.

The Russian has lost four of the five Masters finals he has played, but his sole triumph did come on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo last season.