DOHA — Persistence finally paid off for fit-again Frenchman Gael Monfils as he claimed the Qatar Open title with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over promising Russian Andrey Rublev Saturday. Monfils had lost three times in the final, most recently in 2014 against Rafa Nadal, but left nothing to chance this time as he outclassed Rublev in 61 minutes. The 31-year-old former world No. 6 slipped down the rankings last year as injuries struck and ended his year after the US Open citing a right knee injury. I'm very happy, Monfils said. 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 six. I couldn't really defend my chances in 2017. I had a long rest and came back strong in 2018. Although it was a disappointing day for Rublev, the 20-year-old has sent out an early signal that he will be a force this year. He more than matched Monfils for firepower but was frustrated by the Frenchman's defensive skills and despite defeat he is projected to rise to a career-high 32 in the rankings.

World No. 5 Dominic Thiem dramatically pulled out of the Qatar Open because of illness Friday just hours before he was due on court to play his semifinal. The tournament's No. 1 seed was due to play Monfils Friday evening. Rublev saved a match point before beating Argentina's Guido Pella 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2).

Simon wins Pune title

France's Gilles Simon felled giant South African Kevin Anderson in the Maharashtra Open final in Pune Saturday to claim his first title in nearly three years. The 33-year-old former world No. 6, who slipped to 89th in the rankings after a disappointing 2017, capped a resurgent start to the year with a 7-6(4), 6-2 defeat of last year's U.S. Open runner-up — his first win over 2.03m tall Anderson. Simon beat each of the tournament's top three seeds on his way to the title, having knocked out Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in round two before taking out top seed Marin Cilic. — Agencies