Andrey Rublev moves into the Semi Finals of the Qatar Open riding on walkovers

Andrey Rublev moves into the Semi Finals of the Qatar Open riding on walkovers

Andrey Rublev

Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev

Andrey Rublev has had the best of fortunes in the last few weeks. First he won the Rotterdam Open last week, and now he is into the Semi Finals of the Dubai Open without playing a single match. Rublev was seeded third at this year’s Dubai Open which meant he won a first round bye.

In the second round he was supposed to play against Frenchman Richard Gasquet. It would have been Rublev’s first match as the Rotterdam Champion and Gasquet’s comeback to the tour after missing the Australian Open with a back injury. At the last moment though Gasquet pulled out, giving Rublev a walkover win. Rublev’s third round opponent was Hungarian Márton Fucsovics.

Fucsovics had defeated Dušan Lajović in the first round and Lloyd Harris in the second round to set up a match with Rublev. The match between Fucsovics and Rublev would have been a repeat of the Rotterdam Final. But Alas it wasn’t to be as Fucsovics too withdrew before the match. One thing is for sure though, Rublev will be fresh and ready for the Semi Finals of the Qatar Open. 

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How has Rublev fared on the court post lockdown

Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev

In the first major post lockdown, the US Open, Rublev reached the Quarter Final stage where he lost to fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev. His first title post lockdown was the German Open which he won beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 3-6 7-5. In the second Grand Slam post lockdown, French Open, he again reached the Quarter Finals.

Rublev’s second title post lockdown came at the St. Petersburg Open where he beat Borna Coric in the Finals, 7-6 6-4. Rublev’s next triumph was at the Vienna Open where he defeated Lorenzo Sonego, 6-4 6-4, in the final.

There was a very small lull after that, post which Rublev reached his third consecutive semifinals in as many Grand Slams post lockdown. His next tournament was the Rotterdam Open, where he registered his third title post lockdown. 

Also Read: ATP Qatar Open 2021: Denis Shapovalov vs Taylor Fritz – Preview, Head-to-Head and Match Prediction