Italy’s Matteo Berrettini shakes arms with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic after successful his spherical of 32 match on the Qatar Open.
| Picture Credit score: REUTERS
Novak Djokovic was upset by Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Tuesday (February 18, 2025) on the Qatar Open within the Serb’s first match since exiting the Australian Open with a hamstring harm.
The 37-year-old Djokovic, ranked No. 7, misplaced to the Italian for the primary time in 5 profession matches and must wait to hitch Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) as the one gamers within the ATP Tour’s 100-win membership.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion reached the Australian Open semifinals however retired from the last-four match towards Alexander Zverev due to a hamstring harm.
Djokovic stated he did not have “any ache or discomfort.” “I used to be outplayed by only a higher participant in the present day,” he stated. ”I wasn’t at my desired stage, and it could possibly be that I am nonetheless not transferring the best way I need to transfer, however … I performed with out ache, so there is no such thing as a excuse in that.” Berrettini received for the tenth time in his profession towards a top-10 participant and can face Tallon Griekspoor within the second spherical.
Additionally on Tuesday, No. 2 seed Alex de Minaur defeated Roman Safiullin 6-1, 7-5.
Printed – February 19, 2025 10:28 am IST
