Andrey Rublev’s journey to victory at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Battling exhaustion, frustration, and a determined Jack Draper, the Russian star found a way to rise above it all and claim his 17th career ATP title. In a hard-fought final, Rublev outlasted Draper 7-5, 5-7, 6-1, proving once again that resilience is his greatest weapon.
A Battle of Endurance and Grit
Rublev’s path to the final was anything but easy. Two days before the championship match, he survived a marathon against Alex De Minaur, winning a third-set tiebreaker 10-8 after eight match points. The next day, he pulled off another grueling win against Felix Auger-Aliassime, once again prevailing in a third-set tiebreaker.
By the time he faced Draper, Rublev was running on fumes. He took the first set and was on the verge of breaking Draper’s serve to close out the match in straight sets. However, the young Brit found another gear, turned the tide, and pushed the final into a deciding third set.
It was a moment where frustration could have gotten the best of Rublev. The Russian is known for his fiery on-court emotions, and there were moments in the second set where his frustration boiled over. But this time, instead of letting his anger derail him, he did something different—he let go.
“I let go of everything,” Rublev said after the match. “I started to play much better, started to play free. As soon as I was frustrated, I was able to get over it.”
The Turning Point
Once Rublev freed himself from overthinking, the momentum swung decisively in his favor. He broke Draper early in the third set with a blistering backhand return, a shot that not only won him the point but also seemed to break Draper’s spirit. From there, Rublev never looked back. He held his serve comfortably, broke Draper again, and sprinted to the finish line with a dominant 6-1 final set.
For Draper, the loss was disappointing, but his performance in Doha showcased his rising potential. The Brit will now move up to a career-high ranking of No. 12 in the ATP rankings, a testament to his rapid growth in the sport.
A Much-Needed Win for Rublev
This victory meant more to Rublev than just another trophy. It marked his first tournament win since the Madrid Masters in May and his first title defense, having previously won in Doha in 2020.
Rublev has built a reputation as a consistent force on tour, frequently winning ATP 500 events but still searching for a breakthrough at the Grand Slam level. This win serves as a reminder that, despite a rough patch in recent months, he remains a top competitor. With six ATP 500 titles under his belt and a renewed sense of confidence, could bigger victories still be on the horizon?
For now, Rublev isn’t looking too far ahead. He’s just savoring the moment.
“I hope it’s not my best week to come,” he said with a smile. “But I’m really happy with how I played and how I handled myself.”
Whether he reaches greater heights or not, one thing is certain—Rublev’s warrior spirit is alive and well, and tennis fans can expect more thrilling battles from him in the future.
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