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 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 capable of restart once more and I used to be capable of play on the identical 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 gained twice,” Rublev mentioned. “I feel each of us had been actually drained after two three-set matches that completed late. We had been exhausted and it was troublesome, however someway we had been capable of play at a superb 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 towards Draper.
Nonetheless, Draper will enhance to a career-high rating of No. 12 on Monday.
“We performed some powerful 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.”
