Reigning Madrid champ Andrey Rublev gets walkover from Gael Monfils; 2024 finalist Auger-Aliassime out
Daniil Medvedev also advanced without stepping on court Friday.
Defending Mutua Madrid Open champion Andrey Rublev advanced to the third round Friday without hitting a ball.
Due to face Gael Monfils, the 38-year-old withdrew with an illness to hand Rublev a walkover. The Russian had recently defeated Monfils at the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters in his first tour-level event with coach Marat Safin.
With 1000 points to defend, the No. 7 seed needs a near repeat performance at the Caja Magica to avoid falling outside of the Top 10. Childhood friend Alexander Bublik awaits next, after ousting 25th-seeded Alexei Popyrin, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Last year’s runner-up Felix Auger-Aliassime continued his struggles on red dirt, dropping to 0-3 this month. The No. 18 seed was eliminated by Juan Manuel Cerundolo, 7-6 (5), 6-4, a result that will see Auger-Aliassime exit the Top 20 and potentially the Top 30 depending on how the ATP Masters 1000 tournament shakes out.
Cerundolo gets Daniil Medvedev for a spot in the round of 16. Like Rublev, the ninth seed didn't take the court as his scheduled opponent, Laslo Djere, pulled out.