2018 runner-up Andrey Rublev makes Doha main draw after player withdrawal

A place in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open main draw has opened for 2018 runner-up Andrey Rublev following a player withdrawal. World No. 53 Mikhail Kukushkin wont be opening his 2019 campaign in Doha as he withdrew from the tournament.

Kazakhstans Kukushkin hasnt played in Doha since 2011. The 31-year-old debuted at the Doha event in 2010 after winning three qualifying matches to clinch a place in the main draw. However, Kukushkin failed to win the main draw in both of his previous two Doha appearances as he was beaten by Nikolay Davydenko in the 2010 first round and Guillermo Garcia Lopez in the 2011 first round respectively.

Meanwhile, Rublev didnt make the Doha main draw cut after falling to No. 68 in the world. The Russian debuted at the Doha event this past season. The 21-year-old fell just short of having a dream Doha debut as he was beaten by French Gael Monfils in the final.

Rublevs 2018 Doha campaign also included wins over Cedric-Marcel Stebe, the former world No. 7 Fernando Verdasco, fellow rising star Borna Coric and Argentinas Guido Pella. Rublev will have a hard time reaching the Doha in back-to-back years as world No.

1 Novak Djokovic, 2018 French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem and 2018 Paris Masters champion Karen Khachanov are all expected to play at the tournament. The Doha event is due to take place from December 31 – January 05. Also read: Novak Djokovic hungry for more success after outstanding 2018 campaign