Jack Draper defeated by Andrey Rublev in Qatar Open final
Andrey Rublev beat Jack Draper to wrap up victory in Qatar; His run to the final moves Draper up to a career-high 12th in the ATP rankings despite the loss; watch Draper throughout 2025 live on Sky Sports Tennis
Saturday 22 February 2025 20:59, UK
British No 1 Jack Draper was defeated 7-5 5-7 6-1 by Andrey Rublev in the final of the Qatar Open.
This is the second time that fifth seed Rublev has won in Qatar, picking up the victory back in 2020, and it marks the first time he has won an event twice.
It is also his 17th ATP tour title on the tour and sixth ATP 500 title, eighth seed Draper battling back in the second set before being well beaten in the deciding third.
- Latest tennis scores, results and schedule 📋
- Where will Jack Draper play next? Latest schedule 🔍
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with NOW 📺📱
- Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Book to watch 📺
It was Rublev's third three-set win in three days. The Russian also dropped the second set in his two previous matches against Alex de Minaur and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Rublev wrapped up the victory in just over two hours and it is his first tournament win since the Madrid Open last April.
Despite the loss and being made to wait once again for a victory against Rublev after four times of meeting, his run to the final sees Draper move up to a new high of 12th in the ATP rankings.
"It feels amazing," said Rublev. "It's my first title that I won twice. I'm really happy. I think both of us were really tired after two three-set matches that finished late.
"We were exhausted and it was difficult, but somehow we were able to play at a good level. When I lost the second set, I let it go and started to play more freely.
"I played at a good level. In some moments, I was really good mentally and didn't let frustration get over me.
"As soon as I was frustrated, I was able to restart again and I was able to play at the same intensity. That's the most important thing."
"It's been an amazing week," said Draper. "Andrey was too good today. We played some tough matches this week and in the third set he was just a bit too strong for me.
"I'm really proud of my efforts this week. Every day, I wake up and try to improve, so it's a testament to my hard work I suppose."
Robson: A week Draper can be chuffed with
Sky Sports Tennis' Laura Robson on Draper:
"Another ATP final for Jack Draper, he had a few weeks of training back in London after the Australian Open to try and get back to one hundred per cent physically, and it shows with the form we've seen this week in Qatar.
"Some quality wins and a tough final against Rublev [losing 7-5 5-7 6-1] but a week he can be really chuffed with."
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open, live on Sky Sports Tennis in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports App.
The Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol rematch will be live on Saturday February 22 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now!
