In a stunning upset at the Qatar Open, Italy's Matteo Berrettini defeated Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the first round, with scores of 7-6(4), 6-2. 🎾
Berrettini showcased exceptional performance, knocking out the two-time champion in just one hour and 35 minutes. This victory marks his first win over the former world No.1 and his first triumph against a top-10 opponent since January 2023.
\"It's something that I've been looking to do,\" said the former world No.6 Berrettini, who had lost all four of his previous matches against Djokovic. \"I played against him in the most important tournaments on tour, had the honor and the pleasure to play against him. I wish I could have won one of those matches as well.\"
Ranked World No.35 and voted the Association of Tennis Professionals' (ATP) comeback player last year, Berrettini will next face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the following round.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner aiming for his 100th ATP title, was coming off an injury-induced retirement from the Australian Open semi-finals, where he suffered a hamstring injury.
Reference(s):
Matteo Berrettini stuns Novak Djokovic in Qatar Open first round
cgtn.com
