GB’s Draper beaten by Rublev in Qatar Open final
Jack Draper’s bid for a third career ATP Tour title ended in disappointment as he fell to Andrey Rublev in a hard-fought Qatar Open final. The 23-year-old Briton pushed the world number 10 to three sets before Rublev’s experience and endurance proved decisive, securing a 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 victory in Doha.
Rublev Outlasts Draper in Physical Battle
The match saw two closely contested sets before Draper, visibly fatigued, struggled in the decider. Both players managed just one break of serve each in the first two sets, but in the third, Rublev found another gear, breaking Draper twice to establish a 4-0 lead.
Despite his best efforts, Draper couldn’t mount a comeback as Rublev held serve comfortably to seal the win and claim his second Qatar Open title, having first won in 2020.
“It has been an amazing week – congratulations to Andrey, he was just too good today,” Draper said.
“He outlasted me. We have both played some really tough matches this week, and he was just too strong for me in the third set.”
For Rublev, this win marks a milestone in his career, as it’s the first time he has won the same ATP event twice.
“It is amazing. It is the first title I have won twice, so I am really happy,” Rublev said.
“We were both exhausted after some long matches this week. It was difficult, but we were able to play to a good level.”
The Russian credited his ability to play with more freedom in the final set, capitalizing on Draper’s fatigue to turn the match in his favor.
Draper’s Ranking Boost and Bright Future
Despite the defeat, Draper’s run to the final ensures he climbs to a career-high ranking of world No. 12. His steady rise in 2024, including a fourth-round appearance at the Australian Open, suggests he is on track to break into the top 10 soon.
This final marked his fifth ATP Tour title match, with Draper now holding a 2-3 record in championship encounters. While he couldn’t lift the trophy this time, his performances throughout the tournament highlight his growing confidence and consistency at the elite level.
Cash and Glasspool Cruise to Qatar Open Doubles Title
British success did come in the doubles final, where Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool delivered a dominant performance to defeat fellow Britons Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski in straight sets.
The 62-minute victory (6-3, 6-2) earned Cash and Glasspool their third ATP Tour doubles title, following previous wins in Tokyo and Brisbane.
“We really enjoyed our time here. Lloyd and I put a lot of effort in, and it’s kind of showing early in the year, which is nice,” said Cash.
“Hopefully we can keep improving and get some bigger titles down the road.”
Their partnership, which only began in September 2024, has quickly become one of the strongest on tour, with the duo now ranked third in the ATP doubles team rankings.
Glasspool remains focused on steady progress rather than setting high expectations.
“I try to have low expectations, honestly. Just try to keep working hard, have belief in our level and trust it, and see what happens.”
Looking Ahead for Draper
For Draper, the challenge now is to recover and prepare for upcoming events, with Indian Wells and the Miami Open on the horizon. With his steady rise, a first Masters 1000 title could be within reach.
For Cash and Glasspool, their strong start to the season sets the foundation for potential success at Grand Slam level, with Wimbledon and the US Open major targets later in the year.
While Draper fell short in the singles final, British tennis still had a victorious moment in Doha, showcasing the strength of the nation’s rising talent on the ATP Tour.