Berrettini sends Djokovic to a second straight defeat

Novak Djokovic suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in three years as he went down 7-6 (4), 6-2 to Matteo Berrettini in his opening match at the ATP Doha event.

The former world No. 1 now ranked seventh last suffered the fate in spring, 2022, losing a Dubai quarter-final before going out six weeks later in Monte Carlo after missing the North American March Masters hardcourt swing.

It was the Italian’s first defeat of a topp 10 opponent in more than two years after losing four previous matches to the Serb who suffered a leg muscle tear at the Australian Open.

“I didn’t have any pain or discomfort in that sense. I was outplayed by just a better player today,” the 37-year-old said. 

Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist against the Serb, was thrilled with his performance after several seasons of injury.“It’s something that I’ve been looking to do,” the winner said.  “I played against him in the most important tournaments on Tour.

“I worked really hard to be back here, I knew my level was high. I just needed matches and matches like this. 

“All the hard work that I’ve been putting in the last months, in the last days, it worked pretty well today. I’m really happy because I enjoyed my time out there, which is the most important thing.”

The desperate form of Stefanos Tsitsipas continued with the Greek going out against limping opponent Hamad Medjedovic 7-6 (6), 5-7, 7-6 (5). 

A hamstring injury could not stop the challenger, who was treated on court after yelling out in pain leading 5-4 in the third set and somehow managed to finish off the unexpected victory.

Former top 10 player Tsitsipas has now lost  three of his last five matches..

Main photo:- Matteo Berrettini celebrates – by Qatar Tennis