Rublev Reaches Doha Final, Aiming for First Title Since 2024
Doha, Qatar – Russian Andrey Rublev (ranked 10th in the ATP standings) secured his place in the final of the Doha ATP 500 tournament on Friday, earning his first opportunity to claim a title since the summer of 2024. Rublev emerged victorious with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (ranked 23rd) and will play in the third final of his career in Qatar on Saturday. He previously lost his first final to Gael Monfils in 2018 and won his second in 2020 against another French player, Corentin Moutet.
Rublev’s last final on the tour was in early August 2024, at the Montreal Masters 1000, which ended in a decisive 6-2, 6-4 defeat to Australian Alexei Popyrin. His most recent title, the Madrid Masters 1000, came in the spring of 2024.
After receiving a walkover in the second round from Serbian Hamad Medjedovic (ranked 73rd) and benefiting from Daniil Medvedev’s (ranked 6th) retirement after the first set in the quarterfinals, Auger-Aliassime was ultimately denied a third final appearance this season.
The right-handed Canadian, who previously won the ATP 250 tournaments in Adelaide in January and Montpellier in February, earned the first break point of the match at 1-1 in the first set. Rublev saved it and earned four break points (and set points) of his own at 5-4, with Auger-Aliassime saving them all. However, he eventually succumbed on the fifth, conceding the first set 7-5.
"FAA" responded swiftly, seizing his opponent’s serve in the third game of the set, an advantage he maintained until the end, winning 6-4.
The third set was just as tight as the first two, ultimately being decided by a tie-break, which Rublev won 7/5 on his fourth match point.
Quotes
"I’m really happy to be back in the final here in Doha," Rublev said after the match. "I’ve had some great wins this week, and I’m feeling confident in my game. I know Felix is a great player, so I’m going to have to bring my best tomorrow."
"I’m disappointed not to win today, but I played a good match and I’m proud of the way I fought," Auger-Aliassime said. "I’m still learning and improving, and I’ll be back stronger next time."
Next Up
Rublev will face either world No. 1 Novak Djokovic or No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in Saturday’s final. Djokovic is a five-time champion in Doha, while Alcaraz is seeking his first title. Auger-Aliassime’s season will continue when he heads to Dubai next week for the Dubai Tennis Championships, where he will be the defending champion.
