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).
