Qatar ExxonMobil Open—Doha, Qatar
Rublev Reaches Doha Final; Andreeva Advances to Dubai Final
Friday’s semifinal action at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, Qatar saw No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev reach the finals, defeating Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5).
Improving to 6-1 against Auger-Aliassime in life meetings, Rublev needed two hours and 47 minutes to advance to the Saturday’s championship match.
Hitting eight aces, winning 84 percent of his first serve points and breaking serve on one occasion, Rublev will be aiming for his 17th career title on Saturday.
The Russian will await either No. 8 seed Jack Draper or Czech star Jiri Lehecka.
Lehecka defeated top seed Carlos Alcaraz in three sets on Thursday, and Draper ousted Matteo Berrettini also in three sets.
Berrettini had enjoyed a victory over 24-time Major winner Novak Djokovic in the first round.
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Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships—Dubai, United Arab Emirates
No. 12 seed Mirra Andreeva continued her dream week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday, defeating No. 6 seed Elena Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Needing two hours and 15 minutes to prevail, Andreeva hit three aces, won 69 percent of her first serve points, and broke her opponent on five occasions.
Defeating No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, Andreeva will next face either No. 14 seed Karolina Muchova or Clara Tauson in Saturday’s final.
Both Muchova and Tauson won in straight sets on Thursday.
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