Novak Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco Make a Winning Start in Doha Doubles
Novak Djokovic, fresh off his victory in the Adelaide International, has kicked off his Qatar Open campaign with a resounding triumph in the doubles event. Partnering with Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco, they triumphed over Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan and Karen Khachanov of Russia in their Round of 16 match.
Djokovic and Verdasco, who received a wildcard entry, cruised to a convincing 6-1, 6-1 victory. The Serbian-Spanish duo showcased their impressive chemistry and court coverage, leaving their opponents with little room to maneuver. Djokovic’s precision groundstrokes and Verdasco’s court craft proved a formidable combination.
While Djokovic is a renowned force in singles, he is no stranger to doubles success. He has won 11 Grand Slam doubles titles, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal alongside compatriot Nenad Zimonjić. Verdasco, on the other hand, has amassed six ATP doubles titles, reaching the top ten in doubles rankings in 2013.
Their victory sets up a challenging quarterfinal clash against the second-seeded pair of Henry Patten from Great Britain and Harri Heliövaara from Finland. Patten and Heliövaara are established doubles specialists, with several titles to their names. They will pose a significant threat to Djokovic and Verdasco’s aspirations of reaching the semifinals.
Fernando Verdasco, at the age of 41, is competing in his final tournament as a professional. The Spaniard has enjoyed a stellar career, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 7 in singles in 2009 and No. 8 in doubles in 2013. He has won seven ATP singles titles and six ATP doubles titles.
Verdasco’s decision to retire comes after a long and distinguished career. He has represented Spain in the Davis Cup on numerous occasions and has achieved notable success at Grand Slams, reaching the semifinals of the 2009 Australian Open and the quarterfinals of the 2010 and 2013 French Opens.
Despite the upcoming challenge against Patten and Heliövaara, Djokovic and Verdasco will undoubtedly look to build on their strong start in Doha. Djokovic is eager to add to his already impressive doubles resume, while Verdasco aims to make a memorable exit from the sport he has graced for so many years.
