Rublev: "Even if I don't win this final in Doha, I will continue to focus on improving"

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🎾 Jack Draper vs Andrey Rublev

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Andrey Rublev is feeling that feeling again at the ATP de Doha, the one that helps you win matches and regain confidence in his tennis. The Russian was begging for a good week, something that has finally happened in his fifth tournament of the year. Rublev is back in a final, something that hadn't happened since the Mutua Madrid Open last year, where he ended up victorious against Felix Auger-Aliassime, precisely the opponent he has just defeated. 

To achieve that, it was not easy at all. Auger-Aliassime was strong with his serve and hardly gave Andrey any chances, as out of eight break points, he could only convert one. “It was tough, very tough today. I felt like I couldn't do much when Felix was serving. I needed a lot of luck to get a break. I told myself, 'okay, you can't do much, he's one of the best servers on the tour.' I needed to try to anticipate and, when I had a chance, go for it. At 6-5 in the third set, it was the only match point I had, a good one, and I missed it. But it finally happened,” commented the Russian, who eventually won the match in the third-set tie-break after four match points.

Regardless, the number 10 in the rankings will step into his third Doha final after 2018 and his victorious one in 2020. Will he be able to repeat the feat five years later? We don't know, but what's clear is that a title like that would do wonders for Andrey, reminding him that bad streaks don't last forever. However, his opponent in that final will be Jack Draper, a player also very lethal with his serve. And even though Rublev maintains his undefeated head-to-head record (3-0), the Brit is riding high after defeating the top seed, Carlos Alcaraz.

Only positive thoughts

Regardless of the outcome, the Russian is determined to approach his time at the Qatari tournament with a very positive attitude. It will be a very interesting and necessary energy boost for the rest of the season. “It's an incredible feeling to be in a final in Doha for the third time. But at the same time, what can I do? If it doesn't happen, next week I have another tournament, it will be another opportunity. I'm happy to have returned to my level. I think I'm playing better week after week, so I'm improving. Even if I don't win this final, I will stay focused on continuing to improve,” he said.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rublev: "Incluso si no gano esta final en Doha, seguiré concentrado en mejorar”