Let’s dive into Tuesday’s Qatar Open action and see what wagers bettors should look to make.
The pregame narrative: Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev are two of the top tennis players in the world, but I think there’s value in fading them. I’m backing underdogs Matteo Berrettini and Karen Khachanov in Doha.
Check out my top Qatar Open picks for the Round of 32.
Qatar Open picks
Best Bet: Berrettini +1.5 sets (-106): Berrettini will have his hands full with Novak Djokovic.
The Italian, after all, has never beaten the tennis legend (0-4). I don’t need him to win the match to cash this wager, though. I just need him to keep it tight.
And Berrettini has been able to do that against the Serbian. Berrettini has won a set in each of the last three clashes between these two veterans, winning the first set in each of their last two showdowns.
This is a good wager to make with a player like Berrettini because he’s a heavy server and is capable of dominating matches for stretches when he’s in a groove. He’s seventh among all ATP players in aces over the last 52 weeks (10.1 per match) and is committing just 1.6 double faults per contest.
Berrettini is also a difficult player to break, leading the ATP in break points saved percentage (72.7%).
Khachanov +1.5 sets (-167): Khachanov is a fine player, but this wager has more to do with his opponent.
Daniil Medvedev is one of the most dangerous tennis players on the planet when he’s on his game. He hasn’t been lately, however, and that’s led to some uncharacteristic results.
Medvedev is an underwhelming 4-3 this year. He followed up his runner-up finish at the Australian Open in 2024 with a second-round exit at this year’s event.
He could struggle against a fellow Russian in Khachanov who knows him well. The two have squared off seven times as professionals, and although Medvedev has five wins, Khachanov did win the most recent battle between the two.
A strong serving day from Khachanov could do the trick. He ranks 18th in serve rating among all ATP competitors over the last 52 weeks.
Qatar Open picks made at 9:35 a.m. on 02/17/25
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.