Qatar Open 2025: Djokovic projected to face Alcaraz in Doha semifinals, Sinner out after three-month doping ban

Qatar Open 2025: Djokovic projected to face Alcaraz in Doha semifinals, Sinner out after three-month doping ban

Carlos Alcaraz could be up against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of next week’s Qatar Open in Doha, as per the draw released on Saturday.

World No. 3 Alcaraz became the top seed after . World No. 7 Djokovic, seeded third, is in the same half of the draw as the 21-year-old Spaniard. Alcaraz has lost all of his three hardcourt meetings against the 24-time Grand Slam champion, including last month’s clash in Melbourne.

Alcaraz had faced the 37-year-old Djokovic in this year’s Australian Open quarterfinals where the 37-year-old Serbian won 4-6, 6-4 ,6-3, 6-4. Djokovic was forced to retire due to a muscle injury after losing the first set in the semifinals against World No. 2 Alexander Zverev and has not played a match since then.

Four-time Major winner Alcaraz will make his Doha debut with a first-round clash against former US Open champion Marin Cilic at the tournament, which has been upgraded from an ATP 250 to ATP 500 event.

Djokovic, chasing his 100th career title, will begin his campaign against Italian Matteo Berrettini. The Serbian is also eyeing his third title in Doha to equal Roger Federer’s record.

In the bottom half of the draw, second-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur faces Russia’s Roman Safiullin while fourth-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev takes on compatriot Karen Khachanov in the first round.