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[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-microphone”] Match Recap from Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open
In just his 2nd Doha appearance, Rublev returns to the Championship match
Two-years-ago, in the 2018 Doha Semifinals, 20-year-old Andrey Rublev saved match-point in a deciding-set tiebreak, defeating Guido Pella to reach the championship match in his Qatar ExxonMobil Open debut.
Today, Rublev won TWO MATCHES to give himself another shot at the Falcon.
Thursday’s wash-out required Grand Slam conditioning Friday
Like Moutet, Verdasco, Wawrinka and Bedene, both Rublev and Herbert knew Friday would suck. The only path to Saturday’s Championship required a pair of same-day victories. With six sets of tennis possible, all focused on making the Quarterfinals quick.
Rublev delivered on Court-1. Despite dropping serve after the first changeover, he still managed to get-through Pierre-Hugues Herbert in two.
Rublev wins second match of the day, advances to the Final
In the first Semifinal, Rublev had a big ask. His opponent – Miomir Kecmanovic – was the only Semifinalist who didn’t play twice on Friday.
On Thursday, Miomir and qualifier Marton Fucsovics were the first on Center Court. After a 90-minute rain-delay, Kecmanovic plowed through the Hungarian, winning in 55-minutes just before the skies opened again.
However, the extra rest was no match for Rublev’s relentless rhythm. Andrey broke early in both sets, allowing Kecmanovic only a single game in set-2.
Now a 2-time Doha Finalist in three appearances, it’s pretty clear Rublev likes this court. To win both a Quarter and Semifinal match on the same day is a hell of an accomplishment. Not to mention, a conditioning confidence boost heading into the season’s first Slam.
One match remains. Can the 22-year-old claim the Falcon?
Day-5. Updated Singles Draw
[/alert]Day-5. Updated Doubles Draw
[/alert][2] Andrey Rublev -23- (RUS) | Semifinal Announcer Introduction
The #2-seed in this year’s Draw, earlier today he defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert and is back in the Doha Semifinals for a second time. Last Summer in Cincinnati, he defeated Roger Federer to reach his first Masters-1000 Quarterfinal. At the US Open, he upset World #8 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Opening Round. He went on to capture his second ATP Tour Singles title in Moscow, climbed to a career-high ranking of World #22, and helped lift Russia to the Davis Cup Semifinals in Madrid. Competing in his 3rd Qatar ExxonMobil Open – 2-years-ago, he reached the championship match in his Doha debut. From Russia – This is Andrey Rublev.
▲ SF — def Miomir Kecmanovic -62- (SRB) | Score: 63 61 ▲ QF — def Pierre-Hugues Herbert -65- (FRA) | Score: 64 63 | RECAP ▲ R2 — def Mikhail Kukushkin -66- (KAZ) | Score: 64 62 | RECAP ▲ R1 — BYE
Announcer Corner | Andrey Rublev
Injured for 2-months of the clay season last year, Andrey Rublev returned like a player possessed. He earned 4 of his 5 top-10 victories during the second half of the 2019 season, including victories over Dominic Thiem in Hamburg, Roger Federer in Cincinnati, Stefanos Tsitsipas at the US Open, and Roberto Bautista Agut in Davis Cup. Rublev started 2019 as the World #68, dropped outside the top-100 in February – but recovered to end the season as the World #23. Impressive comeback, indeed.
Miomir Kecmanovic -62- (SRB) | Semifinal Announcer Introduction
At just 20-years-old – on Wednesday, he defeated 2012 Doha Champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – then played like a man possessed yesterday, defeating Marton Fucsovics in under an hour – just in time to beat the rain. Remarkably, last year at this time – he was winless on the ATP Tour. But in the past 12-months, he’s now won 27 matches – including a stunning upset of World #6 Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati. Last season, he was a Finalist in Antalya, cracked the ATP’s top-50 for the first time, and ended the year by reaching the Final-4 in his ATP Next Gen Finals debut. From Serbia – This is Miomir Kecmanovic.
▼ SF — loss [2] Andrey Rublev -23- (RUS) | Score: 36 16 ▲ QF — def [Q] Marton Fucsovics -70- (HUN) | Score: 62 60 | RECAP ▲ R2 — def [3] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga -30- (FRA) | Score: 76(9) 61 | RECAP ▲ R1 — def Jordan Thompson -63- (AUS) | Score: 64 62 | RECAP
Announcer Corner | Miomir Kecmanovic
Another outstanding talent with Bradenton roots, Miomir is a former Junior World #1. In 2015, he captured the Orange Bowl title, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the championship match. He graduated to the Challenger circuit in 2017, and has since captured two titles in three Finals. Last season, he shifted his focus to ATP Tour qualifying – and it paid dividends starting week-1. In Brisbane, he won a pair of matches to reach the main draw, then earned his first Tour-level victory over Leonardo Mayer. 23 wins later, he enters the New Year as a top-60 talent – and an automatic main-draw contender at the Majors. His ascent continues.
