DOHA: World No. 12 and top-seed Denis Shapovalov will be one of the favourites at the 30th edition of Qatar Open, which starts at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex tomorrow.
But the 2021 quarter-finalist in Doha could be on a collision course with defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili of Gerogia.
The 22-year-old Canadian has a first round bye in the 32-player Doha field. The six-feet plus left-hander awaits the winner of Slovak Alex Molcan vs Serbian Filip Krajinovic for his opening round opponent.
Shapovalov 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 quarterfinals.
Those who fell victims to Shapovalov at the Melbourne Park included World No. 3 Alexander Zverev and Reilly Opelka.
Wild card for Murray
Two-time Wimbledon and Olympic champion Andy Murray plays Japanese Taro Daniel in the first round as wild card entrant.
Taro 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 McDonald of the US.
The tournament, a part of ATP Tour 250, offers a total of $1,176,595 in prize money.
