Andrey Rublev has once again asserted his strength on the ATP Tour, advancing to the final of the Qatar Open after defeating Montreal's Félix Auger-Aliassime. The match, held on February 21, 2025, was filled with tension, lasting just under three hours and culminating in a final score of 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (5).
Rublev, the fifth seed, faced stiff competition from the Canadian tennis star, who had been enjoying significant recent success. Auger-Aliassime, ranked 23rd, had entered the semifinals with high hopes after winning two recent titles and effectively capitalizing on his opponents' retirements. Unfortunately for him, Rublev proved to be the stumbling block.
The match began with Rublev breaking Auger-Aliassime at a pivotal moment, winning the first set 7-5. Auger-Aliassime showed resilience, charging back to win the second set 6-4 and demonstrating powerful serving throughout the match, racking up 21 aces—an impressive feat against such quality opposition.
Rublev, who improved his head-to-head record against Auger-Aliassime to 6-1 with this victory, acknowledged the difficulty of the contest afterwards. “It was super tough today,” he stated. “He was serving well, and I was just saying, 'OK, 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.'” His strategy clearly paid off as he exhibited tremendous mental strength under pressure.
The deciding third set saw both players maintain their serve, resulting in a tiebreak. Auger-Aliassime was down early, trailing 3-6 but managed to mount a comeback to 5-6 before Rublev sealed the victory on his third match point. A missed forehand by Auger-Aliassime proved costly and concluded the match.
Despite the loss, Auger-Aliassime's performance was commendable. His strong second set, alongside the physical conditioning and resilience shown throughout the match, mustered praise as it showcased his potential on the ATP circuit.
Entering the finals, Rublev is set to face Jack Draper, who edged out Jiri Lehecka in the semifinals. The final promises to be riveting, especially considering Draper's previous record against Rublev, who has proven difficult for him, having gone 0-3 against the Russian tennis sensation.
Overall, Rublev's victory at the Qatar Open semi-final marks his return to the finals category, not having reached one since August earlier this year. He won the Doha tournament back in 2020, and this return could mark significant momentum for him going forward.
The intense match has set the stage for what could be another exciting final at the Qatar Open, and many fans will undoubtedly be eager to witness if Rublev can capture the title again or if Draper has the right strategy to upset the Russian's remarkable form.
Rublev’s experience and skill on the ATP tour remain undisputed, and as he approaches the final, many speculate what lies next for the determined Russian champion. Will he continue his dominance, or does Draper have surprises up his sleeve? One thing’s for sure—the final will be one to watch!