DOHA: Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have been placed in the same half of the draw and are potential semi-final opponents at the hard-court event in Doha, which is this year to be held as an ATP 500 for the first time.
The No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings Alcaraz, who will make his event debut as the top seed, will aim to kick-start his Doha career in a first-round meeting with Marin Cilic.
The Spaniard leads Cilic, who is yet to compete this season due to a knee injury, 3-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Their last match was a five-set Alcaraz victory in the fourth round at the 2022 US Open.
Meanwhile Djokovic’s sharpness following his recovery from a muscle tear in a left leg will be immediately put to the test in a popcorn opener against Matteo Berrettini. The Serbian, who is bidding to equal Roger Federer’s record of three Doha titles, has won all four of his previous tour-level meetings with the big-serving Italian, including in the 2021 Wimbledon final.
Djokovic has arrived in Doha for his first competitive appearance since he was forced to retire from his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
The 37-year-old Serbian is preparing to pull double duty this week: He will compete alongside Fernando Verdasco in doubles, in what will be the final event of Verdasco’s pro career. (ATP)
