Matteo Berrettini upsets Novak Djokovic in Doha opener

Field Level Media|published: Tue 18th February, 14:07 2025

Jul 3, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Matteo Berrettini of Italy reacts to a point during his match against Jannik Sinner of Italy (not shown) on day three of The Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Italian Matteo Berrettini upset third-seeded Novak Djokovic 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the first round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha on Tuesday.

It was the first career win in five attempts for Berrettini against the Serbian and also his first victory over a top-10 player since 2023.

No. 2 seed Alex de Minaur of Australia defeated Russian Roman Safiullin 6-1, 7-5 and No. 4 seed Daniil Medvedev eliminated defending champion and fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Another Russian, fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev, was a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan.

Also advancing to the second round were Nuno Borges of Portugal, Italy's Luca Nardi, Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands, Zizou Bergs of Belgium and Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.

--Field Level Media