Novak Djokovic, Fernando Verdasco be part of forces in Doha years after an epic battle

Novak Djokovic is competing in Doha for the primary time since 2019. The 2-time champion is in search of his milestone one centesimal ATP title in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev. The Serb additionally determined to enter the doubles draw.

He joined foces with Fernando Verdasco, who’s taking part in his final match in a profession. Novak and Fernando educated in Doha a few days in the past and regarded nice of their first encounter. The Serb and the Spaniard toppled Karen Khachanov and Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-1 very quickly. 

Thus, Djokovic and Verdasco revived their outdated Doha magic, with everybody serious about their epic 2017 semi-final duel! They embraced 15 encounters on the Tour, and the talked about Doha encounter stands on the prime as probably the most thrilling one.

Otra gran remontada de Novak Djokovic (🇷🇸) fue la que consiguió en Doha 2017 ante Fernando Verdasco (🇪🇸) en la que levantó 5 match factors (📹: Tennis TV). pic.twitter.com/FpZV1vAfMz

— Drive Cruzado (@DriveCruzado) April 12, 2020

Djokovic defended 5 match factors within the second set tie break and prevailed 4-6, 7-6 6-3 in two hours and 23 minutes. Novak struggled to search out his A-game for a set and a half, trailing a set and a break earlier than elevating his stage.

The Serb completed the duel with 14 winners and 28 unforced errors. The Spaniard attacked and stored the factors on his racquet. Fernando landed 28 winners and 56 unforced errors, spraying a pair within the pivotal moments throughout these 5 match factors.

Fernando Verdasco & Novak Djokovic, Doha 2017© Stream screenshot

 

Djokovic secured 4 breaks and acquired damaged thrice. The defending champion made a push on the return within the sixth recreation of the opener, inflicting the rival’s mistake and shifting 4-2 in entrance. As a substitute of constructing on that, the Serb suffered a break at love in recreation seven after a unfastened forehand. 

Novak misplaced floor and skilled one other break at love at 4-4 when his backhand landed lengthy. Djokovic wasted a break level in recreation ten and performed a unfastened backhand to fall 6-4 behind after 43 minutes. The Serb missed one other backhand within the first recreation of the second set and misplaced serve. 

Fernando Verdasco & Novak Djokovic, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Verdasco produced three straight breaks and prolonged his streak with a service winner in recreation two. Novak ended his downfall with a volley winner in recreation 4, pulling the break again and launching his comeback. Fernando had one other large probability to maneuver nearer to the end line. 

The Spaniard generated three break factors within the ninth recreation. He squandered them, together with an open forehand on the third. They served effectively within the remaining three video games and launched a tie break. Djokovic missed a backhand within the fifth level and fell 4-2 behind. 

Novak Djokovic, Doha 2017© Stream screenshot

 

The defending champion performed a horrible backhand within the seventh level and adopted it with an excellent worse drop shot. Thus, Fernando moved 6-2 up and generated 4 match factors. Novak erased three and took care of the fourth with a backhand winner for 6-6.

A left-handed attacked within the thirteenth level and created the fifth match level with a forehand winner. The Spaniard despatched a forehand extensive and missed his final probability to earn a notable victory. Djokovic stole the breaker 9-7 and compelled a decider after an hour and 51 minutes. 

Fernando Verdasco & Novak Djokovic, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Fernando held from 0-30 within the third recreation of the ultimate set, doing eveyrthing to depart the setback behind. Nevertheless, Novak made a push on the return in recreation 5 and precipitated the rival’s mistake to seize a break and transfer in entrance. 

The Serb landed an ace within the sixth recreation and painted a forehand down the road winner two video games later for 5-3. Verdasco served to remain within the match in recreation 9 and positioned a backhand extensive, struggling a break and sending the Serb excessive.