Tue Feb 18 17:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Djokovic and Medvedev Face Tough First-Round Opponents in Doha
**Doha, Qatar** – Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev face challenging opening matches at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, according to tennis previewer Ricky Match. Djokovic, seeded third, will take on Matteo Berrettini, while fourth seed Medvedev will play defending champion Karen Khachanov.
Djokovic holds a commanding 4-0 head-to-head record against Berrettini, with their last meeting in 2021 resulting in Djokovic victories at the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. While Berrettini’s current form is less than stellar (1-3 record this season), Match believes Djokovic’s superior experience and strong record in Doha (15-2 lifetime) make him the clear favorite.
Medvedev’s matchup against Khachanov is equally intriguing. Although Medvedev leads their head-to-head 5-2, Khachanov secured their last encounter on clay in Monte-Carlo. Match notes Medvedev’s inconsistent current form, contrasting it with Khachanov’s confidence as defending champion, giving Khachanov a strong chance at an upset. The preview predicts a victory for Khachanov in a three-set match. The tournament begins Tuesday.
First Piper 