Winner's Circle: Rublev cruises to Doha title

With both Tours suspending their respective seasons until June 7, it is safe to assume that numerous fans are undergoing tennis withdrawal. Join us as we take a look at each champion thus far this season, reliving their journey to the title.

Rublev entered the first ATP tournament of the year after winning his second ATP title at the 2019 Kremlin Cup. Now ranked World No.23, the Russian was looking to break into the Top 20 for the first time in his career.

Being seeded second ensured that he would not face anyone in the opening round. His first match came against Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin, whom the Russian easily defeated 6-4 6-2.

Next up was a quarterfinal showdown with unseeded Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Having never played each other on the ATP Tour, Rublev dispatched of his opponent in straight sets, 6-4 6-3.

Surprisingly, Rublev and top seed Stan Wawrinka were the only seeded players to make it past the second round. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (3), Milos Raonic (4) and Laslo Djere (5) were all upset in their opening round matches. This left the field wide open, although there were still a number of talented players still standing.

One of these men was Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, who awaited Rublev in the semifinals. Kecmanovic had upset Tsonga in the second round, and looked to be in great form. However, he was no match for Rublev, who swept past him 6-3 6-1 to book his spot in the first final of the year.

Even more impressive was the fact that Rublev had to play both quarterfinal and semifinal matches in one day due to a rain delay. Nonetheless, his dream match-up with Wawrinka was spoiled by qualifier Corentin Moutet, who upset the Swiss superstar in a close three-set encounter.

Despite a spirited effort from Moutet, Rublev's talent was too much for the Frenchman. The Russian prevailed 6-2 7-6(3), capturing his third career title. Furthermore, this victory provided Rublev with a sense of gratification, as he fell to Gael Monfils in the 2018 final of the same event.

Following his triumph at Doha, Rublev reached a new career high of No.18. However, fans could sense that there was still more to come for the talented Russian.

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