In a shocking result at the Qatar Open 2025, Italy’s Matteo Berrettini delivered a masterclass to defeat Novak Djokovic in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-2 in the first round.
The match, lasting 1 hour and 33 minutes, saw Berrettini overpower the third-seeded Serbian with his aggressive baseline play and strong serving.
Berrettini’s Best Win Since 2023
This victory marks Berrettini’s first win over a Top 10 player since 2023 and his first-ever ATP head-to-head victory against Djokovic (1-4). Ranked No. 35 in the world, Berrettini came into the tournament as an unseeded player but played with confidence and precision.
Dominance in the Second Set
After a tight first-set tiebreak, Berrettini broke Djokovic twice in the second set, taking full control of the match.
He won 85% of his first-serve points (40/47) and struck 19 forehand winners, leaving Djokovic struggling to counter his power.
Djokovic’s Return to Competition
This was Djokovic’s first singles match since retiring from the Australian Open semi-final due to a hamstring injury.
While he moved well in Doha’s windy conditions, he was unable to match Berrettini’s intensity.
The Serbian had previously broken Berrettini’s serve 27 times in their four meetings, but this time, he failed to make a significant impact.
What’s Next for Berrettini?
With this win, Berrettini advances to the second round, where he will face Tallon Griekspoor. The Dutch player recently defeated him in the Rotterdam Open, making this a chance for Berrettini to seek revenge and continue his comeback run.
This victory serves as a major confidence boost for Berrettini, who was ATP’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2024. Meanwhile, Djokovic will look to regroup and regain form after this early exit.
The Qatar Open 2025 has already delivered a blockbuster result—will there be more surprises ahead?
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