ExxonMobil Open • From Doha, Qatar • Gael Monfils Wins ATP Tennis Championship

Gael Monfils of France celebrates winning the final match against Russia’s Andrey Rublev at the ATP Qatar Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 06 January 2018. EPA-EFE/NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL

 

 

RESULTS

 

Singles – Final

[WC] G. Monfils (FRA) d A. Rublev (RUS) 62 63

 

Doubles – Final

[2] O. Marach (AUT) / M. Pavic (CRO) d [1] J. Murray (GBR) / B. Soares (BRA) 62 76(6)

 

MONFILS CAPS COMEBACK WITH DOHA SINGLES CROWN • MARACH/PAVIC WIN THE DOUBLES TITLE

– Gael Monfils rode a dominant serving display and dogged defence to claim his seventh ATP World Tour title in Doha.

– Appearing in his fourth final in Doha, Monfils broke through for his first tournament title. Runner-up in 2006 (l. t Federer), 2012 (l. to Tsonga) and 2014 (l. to Nadal), it was fourth time lucky for the Frenchman.

– Monfils, who concluded his 2017 season after the US Open with a right knee injury, found his top form to join Gilles Simon (Pune) as French winners in Week One.

– Despite the loss, Andrey Rublev is projected to rise to a career-high No. 32 in the ATP Rankings. He was appearing in his second ATP World Tour final, having won his maiden title in Umag last year.

– Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic won their second team title with victory over top seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares.

– Individually, it was Marach’s 18th tour-level crown and No. 9 for Pavic.

 

WHAT THE PLAYERS HAD TO SAY •

 

Monfils •

“I’m very happy. I like this tournament so much. I always come back and I finally got it. So I’m just very happy and very proud. It’s been a while. I was waiting for that moment to get back in shape. In 2016, I was almost on my top and I had a very good year, finishing at No. 6. I couldn’t really defend my chances in 2017. I had a long rest and came back strong in 2018, which was a goal. I wouldn’t say I was expecting to win the first tournament, but I’m more than happy that I did.”

 

Rublev •

“Of course it was great week for me. It’s a great start for me. I didn’t expect that I’m going to be in the finals, which is great. I’m of course I’m happy to be in the final. I’m happy with my result this week. And I hope and I wish I can be more consistent. I hope it’s not going to be only one week like this.”

 

Marach •

“We played the whole week really great tennis. Especially for me it was very important. I didn’t know how I would play because I had not a great winter, I was injured. Then I came here just three or four practices and if you look at that, that we’re now the winners here, it’s amazing.”

 

Pavic •

“It’s one of my favourite tournaments at the beginning of the year and we had a great week. From the beginning on we were playing just better and better and today was a great match.”

Mate Pavic of Croatia (L) and Oliver March of Austria (R) pose with the trophy after winning the ATP Qatar Open Tennis tournament doubles final against Jamie Murray of Britain and Bruno Soares of Brazil at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 05 January 2018. EPA-EFE/NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL

 

Andrey Rublev of Russia in action against Gael Monfils of France during their final match of the ATP Qatar Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 06 January 2018. EPA-EFE/NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL

 

Gael Monfils of France in action against Andrey Rublev of Russia during their final match of the ATP Qatar Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 06 January 2018. EPA-EFE/NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL

 

Gael Monfils of France (L) reacts with Russia’s Andrey Rublev after winning the final match of the ATP Qatar Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 06 January 2018. EPA-EFE/NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL

 

Gael Monfils (R) of France celebrates winning the final match against Russia’s Andrey Rublev (L) at the ATP Qatar Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 06 January 2018. EPA-EFE/NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL