In a nail-biting semi-final match at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Andrey Rublev secured his place in the final by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in a dramatic showdown. The fifth seed triumphed with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-4, 7-6(5), earning his spot in his third Doha final.
Despite facing 21 aces from Auger-Aliassime, Rublev demonstrated resilience and tactical prowess, clinching the victory after nearly three hours on the court. The Russian star improved his ATP Head2Head record against Auger-Aliassime to 6-1, showcasing his dominance in their encounters.
With this win, Rublev has now reached his 10th ATP 500 final, becoming the ninth player to achieve this milestone since the series was introduced in 2009. A five-time champion at the ATP 500 level, Rublev continues to build on his impressive career, with 16 ATP Tour titles to his name.
Reflecting on his performance, Rublev acknowledged the challenge posed by Auger-Aliassime’s formidable serve. “It was super tough today. I felt like there was not much I could do if he was serving like that. I just needed to be really lucky to break him,” Rublev said. “At 6-5 was the only match point I had a good opportunity, and I missed by a little bit. But it happened.”
Rublev will face either Jack Draper or Jiri Lehecka in the final, both of whom have showcased exceptional form throughout the tournament. As Rublev aims for his third Doha title, he remains focused on continuous improvement. “I am happy that I am back in terms of my level. I think I am playing better and better week by week, so I’m improving,” he added.
The Qatar ExxonMobil Open, now an ATP 500 event for the first time, has witnessed high-octane matches and memorable moments, setting the stage for an exciting final. Tennis fans eagerly await the culmination of the tournament as Rublev vies for the coveted title.
