DOHA, Qatar - The stage is set for thrilling finishes at the Doha and Dubai Tennis Championships, as both events culminate with exciting finals featuring rising stars. Andrey Rublev, ranked tenth globally, is poised to contest his third Qatar Open final, determined to add yet another title to his growing list.
Rublev earned his spot after edging out the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime with a hard-fought scoreline of 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5) on Friday. The match, which stretched nearly three hours, was marked by Rublev's resilience and skill under pressure, especially when he was pushed to four match points before securing victory. Reflecting on the match, Rublev acknowledged the intensity, stating, "It took everything. It was super tough today. He was serving well and I was just saying, ‘Okay, I cannot do much, this is one of the best servers on tour. I just need to try to guess and when I have a moment, just go for it.’" With eight aces and impressive service points, Rublev aims for his 17th career title on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Rublev awaits his opponent to be determined from the second semifinal clash between Jack Draper and Jiri Lehecka. Both players come off surprising wins, with Lehecka eliminating top seed Carlos Alcaraz. It’s anticipated to be another thrilling contest leading to the finals.
Across the border at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva made headlines by becoming the youngest player to reach the final of any WTA 1000 event. Her remarkable performance saw her overcome the sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina with scores of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Andreeva displayed remarkable composure, especially after trailing 3-1 in the decisive third set, where she rallied to win five straight games.
"If I lose 6-0, 6-0 or I win 7-5, 6-4, it doesn't matter," Andreeva reflected after her match against Rybakina, emphasizing her approach to the game. This victory not only marks her second tour-level final but places her among prominent players like Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka, both of whom she defeated during the tournament. Her potential is underscored by her historic achievement, as she became the youngest player to beat three Grand Slam champions within one tournament since Maria Sharapova achieved the same feat back in 2004.
Andreeva's momentum has led her to the finals against another impressive competitor, Clara Tauson, 22. Tauson reached the final after defeating Karolina Muchova, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, showcasing her skills after previously stunning the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka this week. Both Tauson and Andreeva are set to vie for their first WTA 1000 title on Saturday, marking their respective journeys as milestones for their careers.
The anticipation is palpable as tennis aficionados worldwide look forward to the finals. For both Rublev and Andreeva, these matches represent not just the opportunity for immediate glory but also pivotal moments shaping their careers moving forward. With rising young talents on display and seasoned competitors like Rublev hoping to reclaim past glories, the stakes are higher than ever at these high-profile championships.