DOHA, Qatar — Andrey Rublev credited his psychological strategy after beating Jack Draper 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 to win the Qatar Open for the second time Saturday.
It was Rublev’s third three-set win in three days. The Russian additionally dropped the second set in his two earlier matches towards Alex de Minaur and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
“I used to be actually good mentally and did not let frustration recover from me,” Rublev mentioned. “As quickly as I used to be annoyed, I used to be in a position to restart once more and I used to be in a position to play on the similar depth. That is an important factor.”
It was the seventeenth title of Rublev’s profession, having earned his first Doha trophy in 2020.
“It is my first ever title that I received twice,” Rublev mentioned. “I believe each of us have been actually drained after two three-set matches that completed late. We have been exhausted and it was tough, however by some means we have been in a position to play at a great stage. After I misplaced the second set, I let it go and began to play extra freely.”
Rublev improved to 4-0 in his profession towards Draper.
Nonetheless, Draper will enhance to a career-high rating of No. 12 on Monday.
“We performed some robust matches this week, and within the third set, he was only a bit too sturdy for me,” Draper mentioned. “I am actually happy with my efforts this week. Day-after-day, I get up and attempt to enhance, so it is a testomony to my laborious work, I suppose.”