Day 3 at the ATP 250 in Doha features last week’s champion in Rotterdam, Daniil Medvedev, alongside fellow Top 10 player Felix Auger-Aliassime, as well as upcoming sensation Jiri Lehecka. We also have predictions for matches featuring Andy Murray.
ATP Doha Day 3 Predictions
Jiri Lehecka vs Emil Ruusuvouri
Head-to-head: Ruusuvouri 2-0
The World #51 against the World #52 and it really couldn’t be harder to call. Whilst the Czech is in form following his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final, the Finn beat him twice last year both on hardcourts routinely. In his opening match, Ruusuvouri put up a good performance to beat sixth seed Dan Evans in straight sets with 26 winners to just 17 unforced errors. He’s going to much need the same level of tennis against the Czech where more than often doesn’t let the lefty use his big forehand to dictate. This one is going to be close but based on form alone I like the 21-year-old’s chances.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Alexandre Muller vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head-to-head: 0-0
The big question here is if whether the Dutchman is fully fit or not after his great opening round win against Ivashka. Muller is ranked #170 in the world for a reason despite a great opening round upset against former champion Basilashvili. However, with his passive game style, the Frenchman is going to have to hope the 27-year-old puts up another 55 unforced errors just as the Georgian did. If Van De Zandschulp is fully fit this should be fairly routine.
Prediction: Van De Zandschulp in 2
Liam Broady vs Daniil Medvedev
Head-to-head: 0-0
The Brit is coming off a Challenger win as well as qualifying here with an opening round match to go along with it so there’s no doubt he’s in good form. However, Daniil Medvedev made a statement of his own winning just his second title in 15 months and returning to the top 10. Usually when the Russian finds form it leads to a purple patch of a few months and there’s no reason not to think he can’t do the same with just how good he was last week. For all of Broady’s hopes, Medvedev simply plays the brand of tennis he does but with no disrespect, a lot better. It’s hard to even see this one being competitive.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Jason Kubler vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: Kubler 1-0
To say the Canadian hasn’t had a good start to 2023 wouldn’t be a lie. He followed losing his first match of the year in Adelaide with a surprising loss to Czech Lehecka at the Australian Open and then got destroyed by eventual champion Daniil Medvedev last week in defence of his Rotterdam title. On the other hand, Kubler’s had an excellent start highlighted with the trophy in the men’s doubles at the Australian Open. If anything despite his form, this is a good match for Auger-Aliassime. Kubler is solid but lacks weapons to hurt the 22 year old. As long as the serve is firing it’s hard to see the world number nine losing this one but if he’s having an off day it could be close.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey USA Today
