Qatar Open 2015: Preview, Draw and Predictions

Qatar Open 2015: Preview and Draw

250 Tournament

The new tennis season is finally upon as and we are treated to three 250 level tournaments to begin 2015. One of these is the Qatar Open, with Doha attracting a number of the game’s top stars including Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Nadal is the defending champion at the event and looks set to make his return to competitive action after mixed fortunes in the Exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week. Roger Federer and Andy Murray are other past champions who are playing elsewhere and Novak Djokovic is making his Qatar Open debut.

Top Half

Serbian world number 1 Novak Djokovic is the top seed in Doha and heads up the top half of the draw. His first round encounter is an interesting one against fellow Serb Dusas Lajovic and you wonder whether Djokovic will play at his ruthless best or let off the gas every so slightly.

Djokovic is seeded to meet big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic in the quarter finals, but given his recent form he is unlikely to be troubled on his route to a maiden Qatar Open final. Russian Mikhail Youzhny has a penchant for upsets, although now entering into the twilight of his career, will struggle to challenge Djokovic.

David Ferrer and Philipp Kohlschreiber are the other two seeds populating the top half of the draw. Two players with contrasting styles, the Spaniard Ferrer plays with a dogged determination and tireless engine whereas Kohlschreiber is more free-flowing and powerful. It would be a great match for the neutral.

Bottom Half

Rafael Nadal returns to the draw sheet of an ATP tour event for the first time since the Basel 250 tournament at the end of last season. He opens against German qualifier Michael Berrer who is unlikely to cause him any problems. Nadal, along with Djokovic, is also participating in the doubles in Doha in an attempt to get time on court.

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Nadal has a simple looking draw up to the semi finals where he could meet Thomas Berdych or Richard Gasquet, third and sixth seeds respectively. Like Djokovic in the top half, you would not expect Nadal to be troubled by either man unless he continues to struggle to find his best form.

Berdych and Gasquet both come into 2015 knowing that they need to stand up and be counted if they are not to be consigned to the history books as solid Top 10 players who didn’t achieve anything special in the game. Berdych, despite being 29 years old, looks the more likely to make headlines.

Prediction

I can’t see Djokovic or Nadal being upset in Doha, there aren’t any players that inspire me into thinking that they can even take a set of other of the two men. It think they will meet in the final, with Djokovic continuing his impressive form against Nadal in recent years, winning in straight sets and heading into the Australian Open as favourite.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Next: ATP Tennis Power Rankings - Jan 5, 2015

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