The match got off to a slow start for the Georgian, getting broken in his first service game, and was once again broken at 4-2. In the second half of the set, his discomfort was clear – lacking his usual explosive, yet precise, shots – and the set advantage for Rublev was too much for Basilashvili to recover from.

After the retirement, the Russian said:

“I didn’t know anything, the first two games were tight and I was lucky to break him and I think that gives me a bit of confidence and then he maybe went a bit more down (in level), and then – when he felt worse – I was already a break up which helped me, and decided it isn’t worth it. It’s not easy when those things happen.

“We have played many good matches, he has won some, I have won some of them as well. He’s a really great player and is a really nice person. I hope it’s nothing serious and I hope he will recover very fast for next week”

We have played many good matches, he has won some, I have won some of them as well. He’s a really great player and is a really nice person

Rublev also commented about playing in front of the French crowd and a potential victory on Sunday – should he make the final:

“I would love to (win), every player that is playing here wants to win the title. Everyone is motivated, everyone wants to win, all of us are playing good tennis – we will see what will happen.”