Excitement fills the air as the ATP Qatar ExxonMobil Open enters its second day, promising thrilling matches, including the appearance of the defending champion Andrey Rublev as he faces off against Jesper de Jong. The match predictions from LWOT highlight the anticipated outcomes for each contest on the day’s roster.
Marton Fucsovics is set to take on Hady Habib in their first-ever meeting. Fucsovics is aiming to bounce back from a disappointing first-round exit in Rotterdam last week. He has historically performed well in Doha, reaching the quarterfinals three times, while Habib, still searching for his first tour-level victory since last year’s Australian Open, could potentially rise to the occasion. However, Fucsovics is considered the stronger player and is favored to succeed.
In another matchup, Pablo Carreno Busta will collide with Quentin Halys. Neither competitor has enjoyed a strong start this season, although Carreno Busta did advance through qualifying without dropping a set. Halys, who came into the tournament as a lucky loser, holds a 1-0 advantage over Carreno Busta from their previous encounter last year. Halys’s impressive serving may give him a slight edge in this tight contest.
Ugo Humbert faces Fabian Marozsan in a clash of two players who have both performed well early in the season. Humbert’s recent semifinal run in Rotterdam positions him as a formidable opponent, especially given his superior serving capabilities. Although both players are aggressive in their playstyle, Humbert is expected to leverage his strengths to secure the victory.
Former champion Karen Khachanov will meet Shintaro Mochizuki, having previously bested him in their only encounter. Khachanov has yet to find his best form this season but has a strong history in Doha. His past successes suggest he may elevate his game against Mochizuki, who struggled to impose much threat in their last match.
Finally, Andrey Rublev, the reigning champion, is looking to solidify his impressive record at the Qatar Open against Jesper de Jong. With two titles at this event and multiple semifinal runs, Rublev enters the match confident albeit after a mixed start to his season. De Jong has lagged with a disappointing 1-5 record this year, which raises doubts about his ability to contend with a player of Rublev’s caliber. The consensus points to a likely swift win for Rublev.
As these matches unfold, fans eagerly await which players will rise to the occasion and continue their journey in this prestigious tournament. The competition promises to deliver some memorable moments as the ATP Qatar ExxonMobil Open progresses.