Alkass Digital
Doha, Qatar - World number one Novak Djokovic is set to kick off the new ATP Tour season with a first-round clash against Damir Dzumhur at this week’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open knowing a Doha hat-trick is well within his grasp.
Djokovic will be aiming to make history as only the second player after Swiss star Roger Federer (winner in 2005, 2006, 2011) to lift the trophy for a third time since the tournament began in 1993.
The 31-year-old, however, will be brimming with confidence after his draining three-set win over Kevin Anderson of South Africa in the final of a two-day exhibition event in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Djokovic, who won the Golden Falcon trophy in 2016 and 2017 in Doha, has lost just three matches in the last six months on the ATP Tour and boosted his Grand Slam tally to 14 with wins at Wimbledon and the US Open in September last year.
The popular Serbian, who arrived in Doha on Saturday night, will be joined at the 32-man field by Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, Dominic Thiem of Austria, Karen Khachanov of Russia, Fernando Verdasco of Spain and Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.
With a top prize of $219,755 and 250 points on offer at the six-day event, Djokovic clearly looks the favourite to hunt down his third winner’s trophy in Doha where the Serbian enjoys mass popularity.
Djokovic, who won his fourth trophy in Abu Dhabi, sounded thrilled with the outcome over Anderson. The Serbian said he could barely wait for the new season’s first official clash set to take place at Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex most likely tomorrow.
“When you play someone like this at this level you want to win. It helps your confidence and adds to your mental strength. Definitely pleased to win (against Anderson) and looking forward to the season,” Djokovic said before landing in Doha.
“I’m really happy to have a match like this. Anderson was pumped from the beginning and he got me fired up as well. He wanted to win as much as I did. I could feel the tension between us, two great competitors. I think it was the best match point I’ve ever played,” Djokovic said.
“I take a lot of positives from this match. Anderson is one of the best players in the world and has been playing with a high level of consistency,” the affable Serbian added.
Djokovic, who picked up $250,000 in the winner-takes-all event, on Saturday saw second seed in Doha Thiem play an exhibition tie against third seed Khachanov. The Russian, who takes on Wawrinka in Doha this week, on Saturday won 6-3, 4-6, 10-3.
Kachanov, 22, was delighted with his win ahead of his Doha campaign.
“Overall, I am very happy with my preparations and it has been a positive three days for me. I played three good matches and it is always a great way to start the new season,” Kachanov said as he prepares for his opening round clash against Wawrinka.
Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, arrived in Doha three days ago and has spent the time fine-tuning ahead of the season-opener in Doha.
Second-seeded Thiem will face Pierre-Hughes Herbert of France in the lung-opener.
“Yes I do have a tough draw. Not easy to play the second seed in the first round. Dominic (Thiem) is an amazing player, he finished the year among the top ten, so a tough opponent to beat but i am looking forward to this match and will give my best,” Herbert said on Saturday.
During the draw ceremony, Herbert said he remains determined to go for a productive start to the new season and notch his first ATP title.
“Last year I came close to winning the title. Hopefully I will win my first ATP Tour title this season. Last season was amazing in the terms of rankings and I want to build on the success in the new season,” he added.
Other top names in Doha also include Nikolov Basilashvili of Georgia, David Goffin of Belgium, Italian Marco Cecchinato and Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain.
The losing finalist will get $119,320 while the losing semi-finalists take home $64,975.
A field of 16 pairs will feature in the doubles competition to be played simultaneously at the tastfully decorated courts at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex.
Oliver Marach of Austria and Croatian partner Mate Pvic have been seeded one in the doubles. Jamie Murray of Great Britain and Brazi’s Bruno Soares are seeded second in Doha.
The winning team will get $74,270 while the losing pair take home $38,070.