DOHA/STARNBERG, February 18, 2025
Matteo Berrettini produced a stunning performance on Tuesday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, securing his first-ever victory over two-time champion Novak Djokovic.
The 28-year-old Italian showcased his top form in a commanding 7-6(4), 6-2 win against the third seed at the ATP 500 event, marking his first triumph over a Top 10 opponent since January 2023. Berrettini fired 13 aces and won 85 per cent of his first-service points. He saved all three break points he faced and converted two of his own six break-point opportunities to advance in one hour and 33 minutes.
A Moment To Remember!
Matteo Berrettini claims a first career win over Djokovic to advance in Doha#QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/bzzkKgI334
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 18, 2025
“It’s something that I’ve been looking to do,” said Berrettini, who had lost each of his previous four meetings with Djokovic. “I played against him in the most important tournaments on Tour, had the honour and the pleasure to play against him. I wish I could have won one of those matches as well.
“I worked really hard to be back here, to be back at this level. I knew my level was high. I just needed matches and matches like this. All the hard work that I’ve been putting in the last months, in the last days, it worked pretty well today. So I’m really happy with my performance. I’m really happy because I enjoyed my time out there, which is the most important thing.”
The World No. 35 will next take on Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, who fought past Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany 7-6(5), 7-6(7) in two hours and six minutes.
In other first-round action, No. 2 seed Alex de Minaur of Australia defeated Russian Roman Safiullin 6-1, 7-5 in 98 minutes and fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev rallied from a set down to outlast fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. The encounter lasted two hours and 31 minutes.
