Feb. 18 (Reuters) – Matteo Berrettini defeated Novak Djokovic 7-6(4) 6-2 in the opening round of the Qatar Open on Tuesday, giving the Italian his first victory over the former world number one.
In one hour and thirty-five minutes, Berrettini defeated the two-time champion with outstanding performance, earning his first triumph over a top-10 opponent since January 2023.
Former world number six Berrettini, who had lost all four of his prior meetings with the Serbian, stated, “It is something that I have been looking to do.”
“I had the honor and pleasure of playing against him in the most significant tournaments on tour, and I wish I could have won one of those matches as well.”
In the upcoming round, world number 35 Berrettini, who was chosen as the ATP’s comeback player the previous year, will take on Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.
Playing his first singles match since withdrawing from the Australian Open semifinals due to a hamstring injury, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, was vying for his 100th ATP championship.
Last Thursday, the 37-year-old claimed to be “nearly fully recovered” and had not suffered a first-round loss since Alejandro Davidovich Fokina defeated him in the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters.
Djokovic will now focus on the doubles competition, where he will face Britain’s Henry Pattem and Finn Harri Heliovaara in the quarterfinals alongside Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
