GB’s Draper beaten by Rublev in Qatar Open final

Andrey Rublev defeated British No. 1 Jack Draper in the Qatar Open final in three sets.

Draper was seeking a third career ATP Tour title but lost 7-5 5-7 6-1 to the world number 10 in Doha.

The decision was more one-sided than the opening two sets, which only allowed one player to break one break of serve.

As Draper visibly tired, Rublev broke twice to race into a 4-0 lead, before comfortably holding serve to seal victory.

Despite the disappointment Draper, who reached the Australian Open fourth round in January, will rise up to a career-high 12th in the world rankings.

“It has been an amazing week – congratulations to Andrey, he was just too good today”, said the 23-year-old, who has lost three of the five ATP Tour finals he has played in.

“He outlasted me. This week, we had some extremely difficult matches, and he was just too strong for me in the third set.

Rublev won the Qatar Open for the second time in the same year, taking home the trophy in 2020. This is Rublev’s second time winning the same event twice.

” It is amazing. It is the first title I have won twice so I am really happy, “said Rublev.

We both felt worn out this week after some intense matches. Although it was challenging, we were able to play at a high level.

In the men’s doubles final pitting Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool defeated fellow Britons Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski.

Following victories in Tokyo and Brisbane, Cash and Glasspool needed just 62 minutes to claim their third ATP Tour doubles title.

The pair only made their ATP doubles team debut in September, and they are currently third.

“We really enjoyed our time here. It’s kind of showing early in the year, which is nice, said Cash, who and Lloyd and I put a lot of effort into. “I’m hoping we can keep improving and eventually win some bigger titles.”