Jack Draper showcased resilience and skill to secure a place in the Qatar Open final, overcoming Jiri Lehecka in a hard-fought three-set battle. Lehecka, who had stunned Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, appeared poised for another upset after taking the first set. However, Draper fought back, winning a tense tie-break in the second before asserting his dominance in the decider to claim a 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory.
Both players had endured long quarter-final matches, yet the intensity remained high from the outset. The match featured a mix of powerful exchanges and moments of finesse, including a particularly well-placed drop shot from Draper in the sixth game that drew loud applause from the crowd. Among those watching was former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, though Draper initially struggled to gain an advantage. Lehecka capitalized on his only break point in the first set to take the lead.
Despite the setback, Draper maintained his focus, gradually finding his rhythm in the second set. The tie-break saw him elevate his game, taking control to force a deciding set. This tournament marked Draper’s return to action following a hip injury that had forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open, but he appeared in strong form. As the third set unfolded, Draper’s endurance and shot selection proved decisive. He broke Lehecka’s serve twice, sealing victory after two hours and 23 minutes. His win sets up a final clash against fifth seed Andrey Rublev, who secured his place with a tight 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (5) victory over Félix Auger-Aliassime.
Reflecting on his journey, Draper acknowledged the challenges he faced due to injury but expressed confidence in his progress. He noted that while his tennis had been inconsistent in Australia, surviving tough five-set matches had strengthened him mentally. With his fitness improving, he has been able to focus on refining his game, and the results are beginning to show.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva continued her remarkable run at the Dubai Tennis Championships, securing a spot in the final by defeating sixth seed Elena Rybakina in another thrilling three-setter. Andreeva’s 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 triumph marks a historic achievement, as she became the youngest player to defeat three Grand Slam champions at a single tournament since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
Denmark’s Clara Tauson will be Andreeva’s opponent in the final, having edged past Karolina Muchova 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3. Andreeva’s path to the final has been nothing short of extraordinary, having already eliminated five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals and former Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova in the opening rounds. Her victory over Rybakina, the world No 7, required a gritty comeback. Despite trailing 3-1 in the final set, she reeled off five consecutive games to complete the upset.
Her win also avenges a previous loss to Rybakina in Beijing, where she had struggled to keep up with her opponent’s aggressive play. This time, Andreeva approached the match with a different mindset, determined to fight for every point and remain composed under pressure. Her belief and persistence paid off, securing her a place in her first WTA 1000 final.
With both Draper and Andreeva making impressive strides, their respective finals promise to deliver high-quality tennis and further cement their growing reputations on the ATP and WTA tours.
