The action at the ATP Doha – Qatar Open continues on day two with 11 matches on the slate and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Hamad Medjedovic and Daniil Medvedev vs Karen Khachanov. But who will advance?
ATP Doha Day 2 Predictions
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is a tough first round match for Roberto Bautista Agut because Zizou Bergs has played fantastic tennis so far this year on hard courts. Bautista Agut is 36-years-old and while his ranking still is in the mid fifties, the Spaniard looks half a step slow – which makes him that much easier to beat, particularly for big hitters like Bergs. Bautista Agut is still very competitive and has enough court-craft to make things very tough for Bergs, as well as penetrating forehand. In the end, though, the Belgian should have enough.
Prediction: Bergs in 3
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Alexander Bublik vs Andrey Rublev
Head-to-head: Rublev 4-2 Bublik
You never know what to expect with Alexander Bublik – except that it should be a highly entertaining match (provided he gives his all, which is not always a given). Andrey Rublev has had a poor year thus far but the Russian should enjoy the fast courts at Doha. Bublik doesn’t have a lot of wins this year to possess any threat to Rublev who should be able to hit through the Kazakh with his searing forehand. Expect Rublev to just about get the win against Bublik who will keep him on his toes.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
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Novak Djokovic vs Matteo Berrettini
Head-to-head: Djokovic 4-0 Berrettini
It will be very interesting to see how Novak Djokovic performs this week with the 24-time Grand Slam champion returning to the court after retiring from his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open due to a muscle tear sustained in the previous match. His opening match is not an easy one but the Serb has beaten Matteo Berrettini on all four previous meetings and Berrettini is not the force he once was. The Italian’s backhand is still a weak point and he has had a harder time managing that of late. Expect Djokovic to target that wing effectively en route to a win on his return to action.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
