Alex de Minaur’s huge boost as Novak Djokovic suffers embarrassing blow amid Jannik Sinner beef
Alex de Minaur’s Path to Qatar Open Title Clears After Djokovic’s Shock Exit
Alex de Minaur won’t have to face Novak Djokovic in his quest for the Qatar Open title after the Serbian suffered a stunning first-round defeat to Matteo Berrettini. Playing his first match since tearing his hamstring at the Australian Open, Djokovic was outclassed by the Italian 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 on Tuesday night.
The victory marked Berrettini’s first win over Djokovic in five meetings and was a major milestone after struggling with injuries in recent years. It was also his first top-10 win since 2023. “I’ve played against him in the most important tournaments on tour,” Berrettini said. “I wish I could have won one of those matches. But I’m really happy with my performance today.”
Djokovic’s Loss Follows Controversial Sinner Comments
The defeat came just a day after Djokovic criticized World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension, suggesting favoritism played a role in the ruling.
“It’s not a good image for our sport, that’s for sure,” Djokovic said before his match. “Most players I’ve talked to feel it’s unfair. It appears that if you’re a top player with access to top lawyers, you can influence the outcome.”
Despite speculation about his fitness, Djokovic denied his hamstring affected him, saying: “I played without pain, so there is no excuse. He was just the better player today.”
De Minaur Cruises Through, Eyes Deep Run in Qatar
Meanwhile, de Minaur breezed past Roman Safiullin 6-1, 7-5 to book his place in the last 16. Ranked World No. 6, the Australian is seeded second in Qatar behind Carlos Alcaraz.
With Sinner suspended and Djokovic out, de Minaur’s path to the title looks much smoother. The Aussie is enjoying a strong start to 2025, boasting a tour-leading 12 wins, with his only losses coming to Sinner (Australian Open quarters) and Alcaraz (Rotterdam final). His victory over Safiullin also marked his 200th career win on hard courts.
“It was tough out there with the wind swirling, but you’ve just got to find a way to win,” de Minaur said.
Next up, he faces Botic van de Zandschulp, whom he defeated convincingly at the Australian Open last month. With Djokovic out of the picture, de Minaur will look to capitalize on this golden opportunity in Qatar.
