Andrey Rublev showcased his mental fortitude to claim his second Qatar Open title, overcoming Jack Draper 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 22, 2025.
The match began with both players holding serve firmly, with only one break occurring after 11 intense games. Rublev, the fifth seed, edged out Draper to take the first set, demonstrating impeccable focus and execution on the court. Rublev remarked, "It feels amazing. It’s my first ever title I have won twice," cementing the significance of the victory as he celebrated his 17th ATP title overall.
Throughout the tournament, Rublev faced numerous challenges, having previously beaten Alex de Minaur and Felix Auger-Aliassime, both of whom pushed him to three sets. This pattern persisted against Draper, as Rublev’s mental strategy proved pivotal. "I was really good mentally and didn’t let frustration get over me... That’s the most important thing," Rublev said post-match, highlighting his resilience during tense moments.
Though the first set belonged to Rublev, the momentum shifted dramatically during the second set. Draper seized his chance to break Rublev’s serve at 5-5, eventually winning the set and leveling the match, prompting acclaim for his tenacity. Draper expressed pride in his performance, stating, "I’m really proud of my efforts this week. Every day, I wake up and try to improve, so it’s a testimony to my hard work, I suppose.” Despite this setback, Rublev remained unfazed.
The deciding set saw Draper evidently fatigued, and Rublev capitalized, breaking his serve twice to gain a commanding 5-0 lead. The experienced Russian, who previously won the tournament back in 2020, then cruised to victory, securing the title as Draper consoled himself with the prospect of reaching his career-high ranking of No. 12.
Rublev reflected on the tough week they both endured prior to the final, stating, "I think both of us were really tired after two three-set matches. We were exhausted and it was difficult, but somehow we were able to play at a good level.” This match marked Rublev’s successful defense of his title, something he had not achieved before.
Draper, the British number one, took solace from the match, claiming, “Andrey was too good today. Outlasted me. We’ve played some tough matches this week and he was just too strong for me.” The 23-year-old has recently emerged as a promising star on the ATP Tour, having won titles in Stuttgart and Vienna prior to this tournament.
After the match, Rublev reiterated his admiration for Draper, acknowledging his opponent’s talent and future potential by stating, "I really like Jack as a person and I really like his game. He has a really, really great career and future ahead.” Draper’s ascendance to 12th place demonstrates his progress on the tour and forecasts more competitive appearances.
The tournament didn't end with the singles final, as Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool claimed the men’s doubles title after defeating fellow Brits Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski. Their swift victory 6-3, 6-2 marked their third ATP Tour doubles title together, underscoring their potential as they aim for even greater accomplishments.
Whether for Rublev, who continues to solidify his status among the elite, or Draper, who looks toward his bright future, the Qatar Open final underscored the drama and excitement of tennis, carrying both victories and lessons.