Qatar Open: Carlos Alcaraz Edged Andrey Rublev For Final Showdown In Doha

 

Carlos Alcaraz is into his second consecutive final this season after defeating Andrey Rublev in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open. 

Two-time champion Rublev put up a strong resilience against the top seed in defense of the title he won in the last edition. He let out all his arsenals in the first set, breaking twice to force a tiebreak, but he was conveniently outclassed by Alcaraz. 

"I'm proud of myself for how I'm getting better. I'm getting mature, I guess," said Alcaraz when asked about how he improves on his skills. 

Alcaraz was dominant in the second, and even when Rublev rallied, breaking for the fourth time at 5-3, he fought back to convert a break and claimed the match point. Rublev hit wide his backhand return, ending his bid for his third title in Doha. 

Last season, Rublev won the title for the second time, after defeating Alex de Minaur in the final in three sets 6-1, 3-6, 7-6. He won his maiden title in Doha in 2020. 

The top seed won his maiden Australian Open title, having been unbeaten since losing the final of the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals to Jannik Sinner in December. He has now extended his career final appearances to 34, equaling the previous record set by Carlos Ferrero in all-time most final appearances by a Spanish player.