Andrey Rublev clinched his second Qatar Open title with a hard-fought victory over Britain's Jack Draper in Saturday's final, prevailing 7-5, 5-7, 6-1.
The fifth-seeded Russian, who previously won the tournament in 2020, has now become the first player to win the Qatar Open twice.
The triumph marks Rublev's 17th tour title and his sixth ATP 500 victory, secured in just over two hours of play.
For Draper, who entered the tournament as the eighth seed, it was a valiant effort in his bid to capture what would have been his first victory over his Russian rival.
The opening two sets showcased a tightly contested battle between the competitors, with each set going to a tiebreak.
Rublev drew first blood in the opening set, taking it 7-5.
The British No 1 responded admirably in the second, levelling the match by claiming a 7-5 victory of his own.
However, fatigue began to take its toll on Draper in the decisive third set.
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The Russian capitalised on his opponent's waning energy, powering through to dominate the final set 6-1 and secure the championship.
Despite the defeat, Draper's impressive run to the final has propelled him to a career-high ATP ranking of 12th.
The achievement marks another significant milestone for the rising British star, who continues to make strides on the professional tour.
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Jack Draper admitted he just ran out of steam at the end of an enthralling contest
Reuters
The ranking breakthrough comes as a testament to Draper's remarkable performance throughout the Qatar Open, where he demonstrated his growing prowess on the international stage.
In a display of exemplary sportsmanship during the trophy presentation, Draper offered gracious words for his victorious opponent.
"It's been an amazing week," said the British star.
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Jack Draper was magnanimous in defeat against Andrey Rublev
Reuters
"I want to say congratulations to Andrey, he was too good today and he outlasted me. In the third set he was a bit too strong."
Draper extended his congratulations beyond the champion to include his support team, noting: "Also just congratulations to his team, I know the hard work that gets put in at any ATP 500 event, it's so difficult."
The young Brit's dignified response in defeat further enhanced his growing reputation on the professional circuit.
