The 2020 champion, seeded fifth, battled for nearly three hours, ultimately prevailing 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).
In the final today, Rublev will take on Great Britain’s Jack Draper who on Friday rallied from a set down to beat Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka who defeated Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday.
Draper on Friday won 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 on the Centre Court at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex.
Auger-Aliassime’s powerful serve, delivering 21 aces, pushed Rublev to his limits in the day’s first semi-final.
The Russian admitted feeling helpless at times against such strong serves from Lehecka.
“It feels amazing (to be in a third Doha final), but at the same time what can I do?” Rublev said on Friday.
“If it doesn’t happen, next week I have another tournament, another opportunity.
“I am happy that I am back in terms of my level. I think I am playing better and better week by week, so I’m improving.
“I will keep the main focus, even if I don’t win this final, just to keep improving,” he said.
Having qualified for his third final in Qatar, Rublev said he is playing better compared to 2018 when he first reached the Doha title clash.
“Everything is better. If I can compare my game, physically I’m better, mentally I’m better, game-wise I’m better. So, yeah, more complete player as before,” Rublev said on Friday.
“The year 2020 was amazing for me because I was coming back from 2018 and 2019 and those were tough seasons because I had injuries.
“It was a comeback for me. At the end of 2019 I played really well. With 2020, because Doha (tournament) was (held) in January that time, I was able to win Doha and Adelaide back-to-back. For me it was like a huge step forward to get closer to the top 10 in the world,” he added.
“I guess those were the main tournaments, because then we had pandemic. And after pandemic, like after one tournament I was already top 10. Those two tournaments helped me a lot to get closer to the top-10 ranking, and then I was able to stay there. Yeah, so now I’m much better player in everything,” the Russian told reporters.
Draper battled from behind to beat Lehecka and reach his fifth tour-level final. The British lefty fired 14 aces and won 88 per cent (45/51) of his first-serve points to win after two hours and 24 minutes. Draper is up to No.12 in the world rankings and will rise to a career-high on Monday.
The 23-year-old would become the World No.11 if he defeats Rublev and wins his third tour-level title and second at ATP 500 level (Vienna).
Qatar ExxonMobil Open results
Semi-finalsJack Draper (GBR x8) bt Jiri Lehecka (CZE) 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3
Andrey Rublev (RUS x5) bt Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5)
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