Italian Matteo Berrettini upset third-seeded Novak Djokovic 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the first round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha on Tuesday. It was the first career win in five attempts for Berrettini against the Serbian and also his first victory over a top-10 player since 2023.

The 28-year-old Italian gradually took control the rallies, and took the racquet out of the living legend’s hand.

The prestigious Doha ATP 500 offers a really interesting first round on Tuesday. Novak Djokovic – who returns from his left thigh injury suffered at the 2025 Australian Open – will make his debut in singles against Matteo Berrettini.

Matteo Berrettini of Italy caused a huge upset in the Qatar Open 2025, beating former World No.1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets in a first-round match at the ATP 500 series event being played on the hard courts here on Tuesday.

Novak Djokovic was upset by Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (4), 6-2 at the Qatar Open in the Serb’s first match since exiting the Australian Open with a hamstring injury

DOHA – Novak Djokovic admitted he was “outplayed” as his comeback came to a crashing halt on Feb 18, when he lost 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 to Matteo Berrettini in the second round of the Qatar Open.

Novak will enter his third tournament of the season. The legend lost to Reilly Opelka in Brisbane in the first week of 2025 ahead of his 20th Australian Open campaign. Djokovic reached the quarter-final and arranged the clash against world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic started the 2025 campaign in Brisbane and lost to Reilly Opelka. The Serb moved to Melbourne, chasing his 11th Australian Open crown. The veteran struggled in the opening two rounds before toppling Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka.

Novak Djokovic will face Matteo Berrettini again. The Roman tennis player will challenge the Serbian in the first round of the ATP 500 in Doha, in a draw that has been reshuffled by Jannik

Britains Jack Draper booked place in Qatar Open semis after comeback win over Matteo Berrettini; top seed Carlos Alcaraz suffered defeat to Jiri Lehecka in quarters; in Dubai, Mirra Andreeva beat world No 2 Iga Swiatek;

February 19 - Italian Matteo Berrettini upset third-seeded Novak Djokovic 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the first round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha on Tuesday. It was the first career win in five ...

Djokovic is the World No. 7 with a record of 7-3. He has now lost back-to-back matches on the ATP tour for just the third time since 2019. Furthermore, it opens up the field in Doha. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.