DOHA, Qatar — Andrey Rublev credited his psychological method 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 in opposition to 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 pissed off, 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.”
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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 gained twice,” Rublev mentioned. “I believe each of us had been actually drained after two three-set matches that completed late. We had been exhausted and it was tough, however by some means we had been in a position to play at stage. Once I misplaced the second set, I let it go and began to play extra freely.”
Rublev improved to 4-0 in his profession in opposition to 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 robust for me,” Draper mentioned. “I am actually happy with my efforts this week. On daily basis, I get up and attempt to enhance, so it is a testomony to my onerous work, I suppose.”