Medvedev Edges Past Khachanov in Doha First Round Thriller
Doha, Qatar – Daniil Medvedev survived a stern test from compatriot Karen Khachanov to advance to the second round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Tuesday.
The former world number one dropped the opening set but rallied to claim a hard-fought 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory in a match that lasted over two and a half hours.
Khachanov made a strong start, breaking Medvedev’s serve in the third game and holding on to take the first set 6-4. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Khachanov breaking Medvedev early on. However, Medvedev responded with a break back in the sixth game and eventually leveled the match at one set apiece with a 7-5 win in the second.
In the decisive third set, Medvedev took control and never looked back. He broke Khachanov’s serve twice to establish a 4-1 lead and eventually closed out the match with a comfortable hold in the ninth game.
"It was a tough match. Karen played very well, especially in the first set," said Medvedev after the victory. "I’m glad I was able to find my game in the second set and start playing more aggressively. I’m happy to have come through a tough match like this."
Medvedev will face Zizou Bergs in the second round. The Belgian qualifier upset fifth seed Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6.
Rublev Advances, Djokovic, Tsitsipas, and Auger-Aliassime to Play Today
In other first round action, third seed Andrey Rublev eased past Kazakh Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-4. The Russian will meet Nuno Borges of Portugal in the second round. Borges defeated Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen 6-4, 7-6.
Top seed Novak Djokovic, second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, and fourth seed Félix Auger-Aliassime are all scheduled to play their first round matches on Tuesday. Djokovic will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain, Tsitsipas will take on Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, and Auger-Aliassime will meet Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Match Highlights
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Medvedev vs. Khachanov:
- Khachanov won the first set 6-4, breaking Medvedev’s serve in the third game.
- Medvedev broke back in the sixth game of the second set and went on to win 7-5.
- Medvedev broke Khachanov’s serve twice in the third set to seal the victory 6-3.
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Bergs vs. Bautista Agut:
- Bergs won the first set 6-4, breaking Bautista Agut’s serve in the seventh game.
- Bergs won a tight second set tiebreak 9-7.
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Rublev vs. Bublik:
- Rublev won the first set 6-3, breaking Bublik’s serve in the fourth game.
- Rublev also won the second set 6-4, breaking Bublik’s serve in the seventh game.
