Carlos Alcaraz takes advantage of Jannik Sinner’s ban, Novak Djokovic falls flat – Qatar Open predictions
There was no Jannik Sinner in the draw for the 2025 Qatar Open due to his ban, but there are still several big names competing in Doha with Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev featuring.
The Sinner bombshell dropped shortly before the draw of the ATP Tour 500 tournament on Saturday, in fact, they had to delay the ceremony as it was confirmed that the top seed would not take part after being banned for three months due to his two failed dope tests in March last year.
That meant Carlos Alcaraz earned the top seed status while the rest of the top players also moved up one place each. Jack Draper ended up being another beneficiary of Sinner’s withdrawal as he became the eighth seed while Roman Safiullin replaced the Italian in the draw.
Top half nightmare
Sinner’s withdrawal has not exactly made life easier for many players as Alcaraz, Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov and Draper are all in the top half of the draw.
Alcaraz, fresh from winning his 17th career title at the Rotterdam Open, will face Marin Cilic first up while he could face Dimitrov in the quarter-final and Djokovic in the semi-final.
It is definitely not an easy draw, but you will fancy him to come through and reach the final from this section.
Djokovic, on the other hand, has a bit of a nightmare path with several potential banana skins. First up is Matteo Berrettini (he struggled against the big-serving Reilly Opelka in Brisbane when he lost) and he could face Draper in the quarters before a possible match against Alcaraz.
The left-handed Draper is another big server and let’s not forget that the Brit has defeated the likes of Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last 12 months.
There are just too many hurdles for Djokovic to clear and his wait for title No 100 will continue.
ATP News
ATP Rankings: Jannik Sinner passes Carlos Alcaraz; Joao Fonseca +31, Hamad Medjedovic +14
Top half prediction: Carlos Alcaraz to come through and reach the final
Bottom half route
Alex de Minaur is the second seed and his path looks a lot easier than the top seed’s. He has Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas as the other seeds.
The Australian starts against Safiullin and is projected to meet Rublev in the quarter-final and Medvedev in the semi-final.
But Medvedev has a horror draw as he opens against defending champion Karen Khachanov while he could face sixth seed Tsitsipas or man of the moment Hamad Medjedovic in the quarters.
Tsitsipas and Medjedovic – who finished runner-up at the Open 13 on Sunday – face each other in the first round while the winner will likely take on Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Given Medvedev’s current form, it is difficult to see him overcome so many top players before the semi-final.
It could be De Minaur against one of Medvedev/Khachanov/Tsitsipas/Auger-Aliassime with the Australian favourite.
Prediction: De Minaur to reach the final by virtue of having an easier route.
Final: Carlos Alcaraz to get his second title of the year with another win over Alex de Minaur.
