The Peninsula
Top-seeded Denis Shapovalov was handed a relatively easy path at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2022, but the 2021 quarter-finalist in Doha could be on a collision course with the defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili of Gerogia, the draw revealed yesterday.
The 30th edition of Qatar ExxonMobil Open, part of the ATP Tour 250, will offer a total of $1,176,595 in prize money and will begin at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex tomorrow.
The 22-year-old World No. 12 Shapovalov has a first round bye in the 32-player Doha field. The six-feet plus left-handed Shapovalov awaits the winner of Slovak Alex Molcan vs Serbian Filip Krajinovic for his opening round opponent.
The left hander enjoyed few notable wins at the Australian Open before going down fighting to Grand Slam record-holder and the eventual champion Rafael Nadal of Spain in a five-set thriller in the Melbourne quarter-finals. Those who fell victims to Shapovalov at the Melbourne Park included World No. 3 Alexander Zverev and Reilly Opelka.
In his second appearance in Doha, Shapovalov also has Kazakh Alexander Bublik, seeded seventh, in the top half of the draw with a possible quarter-final meeting.
If Shapovalov progresses then he could well meet the tournament’s defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia in the semi-finals.
The 29-year-old Basilashvili is expected to meet the fast-rising Italian teen Lorenzo Musetti, who plays a qualifier in his opening clash.
In contrast, a relatively difficult meeting will await last year’s runner-up and second-seed Roberto Bautista-Agut of Spain in his opening match at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. Bautista-Agut may have to face three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Andy Murray of Britain – a two-time winner in Doha.
In his first round, wild card entrant Murray plays Japanese Taro Daniel, who ended the Briton’s run at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
In the mix are 4th seeded wild card Croatian Marin Cilic, and Belgian David Goffin.
Goffin could possibly meet sixth-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov in the second round. Khachanov will start his campaign against Mackenzie McDonal of the US.
Seedings:
1. Denis Shapovalov (CAN), 2. Roberto Bautista-Agut (ESP), 3. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO), 4. Marin Cilic (CRO), 5. Daniel Evans (GBR), 6. Karen Khachanov (RUS), 7. Alexander Bublik (KZK), 8. Lloyd Harris (RSA).