NUMBER TWO seed Andrey Rublev will face Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the Qatar Open final after the two players overcame rain delays to complete both quarter finals and semi-finals on the same day.

Rublev moved through thanks to a straight sets win over Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic who had more rest than any of the other semi-finalists thanks to being able to play on Day 6 before the remainder of matches were washed out. It mattered little to Rublev though, who ran out a 6-3 6-1 winner. Rublev threw down nine aces to zero against Kecmanovic, while winning a massive 93 per cet of points on his first serve, and breaking four times from six opportunities. In comparison, Kecmanovic only managed a winning percentage of 47 on his first serve and even his second serve winning percentage was higher – 53. The Serbian had a good run to the semis, but could not penetrate Rublev’s consistent serve, winning just nine points on return.

While many expected the top seed and favourite, Stan Wawrinka to be the other player in the final heading into the last four, it was instead Moutet who shocked the big serving Swiss star. Wawrinka produced 11 aces, but also four double faults as Moutet relied on consistency across the board and managing to penetrate the Wawrinka serve with two breaks to one in the 3-6 7-5 6-3 triumph. Ranked 81st in the world, Moutet is yet to win a title on the ATP Tour but lines up for his first when he and Rublev face off overnight in the final.

Rublev was the first match out on court for Day 7 after he and Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert were locked at one game apiece before being forced from the court on Day 6 due to wet weather. Herbert was determined to power through the match with his big serve producing 10 aces in the match, but could only convert one of a possible six break points. Rublev continued his good form from the Davis Cup, converting four break point opportunities and winning 64 per cent of his first serve points on his way to a 6-4 6-3 victory. Rublev only had the four aces, but punished Herbert on his second serve with 53 per cent of points and even 45 per cent of points on Herbert’s first serve.

Meanwhile in the other results, Wawrinka moved past Alijaz Bedene 6-3 6-4 thanks to five aces and a 93 per cent first serve winning percentage. Bedene struggled with his serve despite seven aces, holding a 53 per cent first serve percentage and winning just 45 per cent on his second serve. Wawrinka on the other hand made the most of just a 50 per cent first serve percentage, winning 93 per cent of his first serve points. In the other match, Moutet overcame a challenge from ageing Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, 6-4 4-6 6-4. Moutet is not a huge server, but consistent with his game, maintaining a first serve winning percentage of 74 per cent compared to his opponents’ 69, while breaking three times to two, with two more receiving points won.