Rublev storms into Qatar ExxonMobil Open final
Doha, Qatar: Miomir Kecmanovic has been in impressive form in Doha, had not lost a set on his way to the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open and was well-rested as he had finished off Marton Fucsovics in the quarters before the rains on Thursday.
His opponent, Andrey Rublev was on the court just a couple of hours back, dealing with the challenge posed by Pierre Hugues-Herbert in the last eight, which he did admirably well.
And the 22-year-old Russian showed that it was nothing more than an extended warm-up as he despatched Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-1 in just 53 minutes to enter the final.
The 2018 finalist in Doha fired 10 aces, converted four of his six breakpoints, and attacked his opponent's serve, which had worked well for the Serb before, at will.
He also hit 35 winners as he made the first quarterfinal against the fast-rising Kecmanovic a one-man show.
Any hopes Kecmanovic had of cashing in on the tiredness of Russian, mostly evaporated as early as the second game of the match as Rublev broke his opponent's serve.
Though Kecmanovic managed to hold on to his serve for the rest of the set, Rublev was calling all the shots.
The pattern continued in the second set as well with Rublev breaking Kecmanovic right at the start and this time he did twice more to make it a completely one-sided affair.
"Sometimes this happens because of the rain you have to play two matches but I am not the only one in this situation," said Rublev after the win.
"When you are juniors you are used to the rain delays, but you get used to it and learn how to save your energy.
Rublev will have another chance for a shot at the Doha title after losing to Gael Monfils in 2018 and he said he loves playing in Doha.
"I am glad I have another chance to win the title here. It's an amazing feeling."
Meanwhile, India's Rohan Bopanna and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands, the third seeds, defeated Luke Bambridge of Great Britain and Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico 3-6, 6-2, 10-6 to win the doubles title.
