Matteo Berrettini beat Novak Djokovic. © APA/afp / MAHMUD HAMS

Against Berrettini: Djokovic loses in Doha at the start

Serbian Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the first round of the ATP 500 tournament in Doha on Tuesday. The 37-year-old record Grand Slam winner lost to the Italian Matteo Berrettini, seeded third.

18. February 2025

From: apa

Djokovic, who had to admit defeat after 1:34 hours with 6:7, 2:6, had previously lost in the quarterfinals in Brisbane earlier this season and had to retire in the semifinals of the Australian Open against the German Alexander Zverev. It was Djokovic's first appearance in Doha since 2018.

The Olympic champion reported fit last week after the thigh injury he suffered in Melbourne and was actually aiming for his 100th tournament victory. Only the American Jimmy Connors (109) and the Swiss Roger Federer (103) have reached this mark so far. The 99th title of the two-time Doha title holder (2016, 2017) was the one he won just over six months ago at the Paris Games.

Alcaraz took the opening hurdle

The Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, the Australian Alex de Minaur and the Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev – the numbers one, two, four and five in the seeding list – have victoriously completed their opening matches at the Qatar Open.

One round further: Daniil Medveev © APA/afp / MAHMUD HAMS

At the women's Masters 1000 tournament in Abu Dhabi, Australian Open quarter-finalist Coco Gauff also had to admit defeat as number three to her US compatriot McCartney Kessler 4:6, 5:7. Gauff was already eliminated in the first round in Doha.