Novak Djokovic is not going to battle for his a centesimal ATP title in Doha! The 2-time champion suffered an early loss on the ATP 500 occasion, shedding to Matteo Berrettini 7-6, 6-2 in an hour and 33 minutes within the first spherical.
Berrettini made a gradual begin to the season earlier than presenting his A-game towards the 24-time Main winner. Thus, the Italian defeated his former Laver Cup doubles companion for the primary time in 5 encounters.
Novak performed his first match after experiencing a hamstring damage in Melbourne. The veteran fought properly within the opener however dropped it within the tie break. Matteo supplied an early break within the second set and introduced the victory house with one other at 5-2.
Taking Cost! 👏
Matteo Berrettini takes a 7-6 lead over Djokovic in Doha#QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/Ms9QuFgnKh
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 18, 2025
They served properly within the opening 4 video games of the duel earlier than the servers confronted points. Djokovic denied three break factors within the fifth sport. He missed as many alternatives on the return within the subsequent one, permitting Berrettini to lock the consequence at 3-3.
Novak Djokovic, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
The 2 rivals produced six comfy holds within the second a part of the set and launched a tie break. Matteo grabbed a mini-break within the first level and moved 4-2 up. They traded mini-breaks within the following two factors earlier than the Italian claimed two factors on serve for 7-4 and a lift.
The Italian served properly within the second set and broke the Serb’s resistance. Novak skilled a break within the second sport and suffered one other at 2-5 to propel his rival excessive.
