Feb 22, 2025 11:46 PM IST
TENNIS-DOHA/ (PIX, TV):Tennis-Rublev downs Draper to win Qatar Open
DOHA, – Russian Andrey Rublev was given a tricky check early on, however completed in type to beat Britain’s eight seed Jack Draper 7-5 5-7 6-1 and win the Qatar Open on Saturday.
HT Picture
Fifth seed Rublev, who additionally received the title in 2020, claimed his first match win since his triumph on the Madrid Open final April, however was made to battle within the opening two units.
“It feels amazing. It’s the first time I’ve won the same title twice,” a delighted Rublev mentioned.
“I’m really happy. I don’t know what else to say.”
The opener went with serve for the primary 11 video games, with Rublev serving to like on 4 events and Draper twice doing likewise, earlier than the Russian lastly broke the Briton to take the primary set.
The second set appeared to heading in direction of a tiebreak when Draper managed to interrupt for a 6-5 lead and served out to degree the match.
Draper had by no means overwhelmed Rublev of their three earlier conferences, and went into the deciding set with the wind in his sails, however Rublev confirmed no mercy.
Rublev broke twice early on to storm right into a 5-0 lead and whereas Draper managed to keep away from a bagel, the Russian fired down two aces to wrap up the win.
“I really like Jack as a person and I really like his game. He has a really, really great career and future ahead. He will win many great things,” Rublev mentioned.
Draper failed in his bid to win his third ATP title after profitable in Stuttgart and Vienna final 12 months, however the 23-year-old’s run to the ultimate will carry him to a career-high twelfth within the rankings.
“I want to congratulate Andrey. He was too good today. Outlasted me,” Draper mentioned.
“We played some really tough matches this week. In the third set he was a bit too strong for me.”
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