It promises to be an exciting opening day of action at the ATP Qatar Open in Doha. World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz will play here for the first time. There is also an Arab presence in the field thanks to wild card entrants Hady Habib and Aziz Dougaz. Who will reach the second round?
ATP Doha Day 1 Predictions
Hady Habib vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: first meeting
Hady Habib has earned cult-hero status on Arab soil after becoming the first Lebanese player to win a match in a Grand Slam at the Australian Open. He’s got a main draw wild card in Doha in what will be his debut appearance. Drawing an unseeded opponent would have been top on his wishlist although Christopher O’Connell is an imposing presence on a hard court. The Australian’s skillset is vast and is a steadier baseliner than Habib. But watch out for the wild card to make this competitive.
Prediction: O’Connell in 3
Grigor Dimitrov vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-head: Dimitrov 1-3 Lehecka
This will be a rematch of the Brisbane semifinal. Dimitrov was unable to finish that match because of a groin injury. That same issue resurfaced in his opening match at the Australian Open with the Bulgrain choosing to retire after playing a set and a half. This was his fourth retirement since Wimbledon and it is becoming a chronic concern. Jiri Lehecka enjoyed a fine Australian swing. He won the title in Brisbane and reached the second week in the year’s first Grand Slam. He also enters this match with a fitness concern. The Czech retired in Rotterdam due to a leg injury but that is only a momentary setback.
Prediction: Lehecka in 2
Fabian Marozsan vs Aziz Dougaz
Head-to-head: first meeting
Aziz Dougaz had a successful Australian Open qualifying campaign but the results vanished ever since he lost in the main draw to Yoshihito Nishioka. The Tunisian has recorded one win from his last seven matches but received a wild card for this tournament. The serve+! is one key tactic that Dougaz utilizes to play his opponents off the court, but that won’t cut it against experienced, higher-ranked players. Fabian Marozsan is as versatile as they come and has a complete game by comparison.
Prediction: Marozsan in 2
Jack Draper vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-head: first meeting
Alexei Popyrin’s start to 2025 is scarcely believable. To think that he came off the best season of his career and is without a win from three tournaments this year points to some issues. It’s obviously worrying when you consider that he played two tournaments on home soil last month against players he was expected to beat quite comfortably but underachieved. Now Popyrin’s task in Doha is seemingly harder. Jack Draper is a Top 20 player at this moment and has recovered from the hip injury that forced his retirement at the Australian Open and should be expected to make a winning return.
Prediction: Draper in 3
Carlos Alcaraz vs Marin Cilic
Head-to-head: Alcaraz 3-1 Cilic
Carlos Alcaraz will need to go on a winning spree to reclaim the World No. 1 ranking in Jannik Sinner’s absence. After a disappointing Australian Open campaign by his own lofty standards, Alcaraz bounced back superbly in Rotterdam, clinching the maiden indoor hard-court title of his young career. He’ll be determined to impress on his first outing in Doha against one of the veterans in the sport. It’s been four months since Marin Cilic played competitively. Injuries have severely limited his presence on tour. The Croatian doesn’t have the full range of movement and should Alcaraz make it a physical battle, then there is only one winner.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
