MADRID – Felix Auger-Aliassime declared that it is “crazy times for the elite of our sport” as the Canadian benefitted from yet another retirement on May 3 to set up a Madrid Open final clash against Andrey Rublev.

Czech 30th seed Jiri Lehecka became the latest player to withdraw in the Spanish capital through injury, as he suffered a back problem and was forced to retire at 3-3 in the opening set of their semi-final clash.