Tennis
ATP Qatar Open Final Preview: World No. 10 Andrey Rublev Vs. World No. 16 Jack Draper
Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.
Get to know wendioliveros betterPublished21 Feb 2025
The ATP Qatar Open Final will be played on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Andrey Rublev is in the final for the third time in eight years. He was the runner-up to Gael Monfils in 2018 and the 2020 champion. Jack Draper is a first-time finalist who has never beaten Rublev in three previous tries. Their last meeting was at the 2023 US Open Round of 16.
While all of that points to Rublev having the advantage, nothing is certain, especially in the most unusual 2025 tennis season, which is already wracked with upsets, twists, and turns, and it is less than two months in.
Rublev reached the final after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals. Draper won a hard-fought match against Jiri Lehecka, who defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
The Brit secures another ATP 500 final 🤯
Jack Draper bests Jiri Lehecka 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-3 and will face Andrey Rublev in the championship!#qatarexxonmobilopen pic.twitter.com/9RlnaRgfBg
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) February 21, 2025
Andrey Rublev’s Advantage And Jack Draper’s Opportunity
Rublev is the veteran of the pair. At 27, he has won 16 career ATP titles and reached the quarterfinals of each Grand Slam at least one time. His career-high ranking was World No. 5 in 2021. Rublev has struggled in recent years but appears to be back in the right mental and physical mindset to compete. The pressure will be on Rublev to recapture this title.
Andrey Rublev on what it would mean to win another title in Doha:
“I don’t know. It would feel amazing. But if it’s not gonna happen, what can I do? The next week I have another tournament and another opportunity. I’m happy I’m back in terms of my level. I’m playing better and… pic.twitter.com/0hS2okVWm1
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 21, 2025
Jack Draper is 23 and possesses two career ATP titles. He will be the underdog with less experience and fewer big wins, but Draper could use that to his advantage, playing freely.
Both men have played great tennis to reach the ATP Qatar Open Final. The question remains if Draper can crack the code to defeat Rublev for the first time in his career; he is a much better player than the last time they played.
The ATP Qatar Open final is on 2/22 at 10 AM EST. The Tennis Channel and The Tennis Channel App will air the match.
