Rublev holds off Draper to reclaim Qatar Open title

Doha, Qatar: Andrey Rublev once again proved that he is champion material when the 27-year-old racked up his second Qatar ExxonMobil Open title, fending off a spirited fightback from Britain’s Jack Draper with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 victory yesterday.

The fifth seeded Rublev who won his maiden Qatar Open title in 2020, unleashed 34 winners during the two-hour, four-minute battle in front of a full house.

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also watched the title clash.

“It’s my first ever title that I won twice. I’m really happy. I think both of us were really tired after two three-set matches that finished late. We were exhausted and it was difficult, but somehow we were able to play at a good level. When I lost the second set, I let it go and started to play more freely,” Rublev, who collected his 17th ATP Tour title, said.

“It feels amazing,” he said before receiving the glittering golden falcon trophy from Exxon Mobil Corporation Chairman and CEO Darren Woods in the presence of Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation President Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, ExxonMobil Qatar President and General Manager Taher Hamid and Tournament Director Karim Alami.

“I played at a good level. In some moments, I was really good mentally and didn’t let frustration get over me. As soon as I was frustrated, I was able to restart again and I was able to play at the same intensity. That’s the most important thing,” the Russian World No. 10 said.

The match began with 11 consecutive holds of serve before Rublev broke Draper to seal the opening frame, 7-5. The second set mirrored that pattern, only this time it was Draper who earned the late break to level proceedings at a set each. With Draper challenging his title run, Rublev found his usual pace in the third set, taking a commanding 5-0 lead before Draper managed to hold serve. However, Rublev delivered a love game to wrap up the title which placed him in the class of two-time QatarExxonMobil Open winners.

“It’s always special to win in Doha,” said Rublev.

“I have amazing memories from 2020 and I’m really happy to lift the trophy again. I knew Jack would fight until the end, so I had to stay focused,” Rublev said.

The victory marks Rublev’s first tour-level title since his ATP Masters 1000 triumph in Madrid last May and his sixth ATP 500 trophy overall.

Draper said he has been enjoying an amazing week in Doha.

“It’s been an amazing week. Andrey was too good today. We played some tough matches this week and in the third set he was just a bit too strong for me. I’m really proud of my efforts this week. Every day, I wake up and try to improve, so it’s a testament to my hard work I suppose,” Draper, who will rise to a new career high of No. 12 in the ATP Rankings tomorrow, said despite after out on his third ATP Tour title.

Earlier, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool clinched their third ATP tour-level doubles title, defeating Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski 6-3, 6-2 in an all-British final.