Tennis fans debate 'most fradulent run to a big final ever' after Auger-Aliassime fortune with Novak Djokovic 2016 run touted

Felix Auger-Aliassime had a fortunate path to the final of the Madrid Open with the withdrawal of three of his opponents along the way to the decisive match, where he will challenge the world No. 6 Andrey Rublev in his first Masters 1000 final.

The Canadian was unseeded in this tournament as he entered as the world No. 35. He progressed through the early rounds against Yoshito Nishioka (4-6, 6-1, 6-4) and the 19th seed Adrian Mannarino (6-0, 6-4) before the withdrawals began. In the Round of 32, he advanced by walkover after Jakub Mensik retired (6-1, 1-0, ret.).

In the round of 16, Auger-Aliassime achieved an excellent victory against the world No. 5 Casper Ruud (6-4, 7-5), who had an outstanding clay campaign with a record of 13-2 before facing the Canadian. In the quarterfinals, Jannik Sinner did not show up to play, and in the semifinals, he only played six games against Czech player Jiri Lehecka (3-3, ret.).

“If Lehecka retires, then felix will have only won THREE completed matches to make a masters 1000 final. The most fraudulent run to a big final ever.

Walker 🏳️‍⚧️ #ThankYouRafa

@rafolejan

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If Lehecka retires, then felix will have only won THREE completed matches to make a masters 1000 final. The most fraudulent run to a big final ever.

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Fans reminisce about Novak Djokovic's 2016 run at the US Open

One fan on social media recalled Djokovic's campaign at Flushing Meadows when, as the world No. 1, he fell in the final to Swiss player Stan Wawrinka with a score of 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 3-6, allowing Wawrinka to clinch his third Grand Slam title and his first at the US Open.

Novak Djokovic at 2016 US Open

In a curious journey through the Grand Slam, Djokovic barely played during the early rounds. The Serbian reached the semifinals after completing just 9 sets in the five previous rounds.

His debut was a four-set victory against Jerzy Janowicz, and in the second round, Czech player Jiri Vesely did not show up on the court, advancing Djokovic to the third round. There, Russian player Mikhail Youzhny lasted only six games before retiring.

The fourth round was an easy affair for Djokovic against Kyle Edmund in three sets, and in the quarterfinals against the 9th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Djokovic won two sets before the Frenchman also had to withdraw from the tournament. In the semifinals, he defeated Gael Monfils in four sets, but ultimately relinquished the title to the world No. 3 Stan Wawrinka.

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@tennis_poetry

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Idk this rivals it 💀

Walker 🏳️‍⚧️ #ThankYouRafa

@rafolejan

If Lehecka retires, then felix will have only won THREE completed matches to make a masters 1000 final. The most fraudulent run to a big final ever.

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