Berrettini put on a powerhouse performance, showcasing his aggressive game to secure his first-ever victory over Djokovic on his fifth attempt. The Italian’s win was a significant milestone, marking his first triumph against a top-10 player in over two years.
The match unfolded with a nail-biting first set that Berrettini claimed in a tiebreaker. He then dominated the second set, breaking Djokovic early in the second game and holding on to the advantage. The 28-year-old Italian, a former Wimbledon finalist, was nearly flawless on serve, landing 75% of his first serves and hitting 13 aces. He won an impressive 85% of his first serve points and 50% behind his second delivery.
With 33 winners—19 of them off his forehand—Berrettini displayed his full arsenal of weapons, committing just 23 unforced errors. In contrast, Djokovic managed 21 winners and 18 unforced errors, but couldn’t find the same rhythm.
Reflecting on his breakthrough victory in the post-match interview, Berrettini said: “It’s something I’ve been looking to do for a long time, obviously. I’ve played him in the biggest events on tour, and while I’ve had the honor of facing him, I never managed to win. I’ve worked really hard for this moment. To be back here, at this level, I knew my game was strong. I just needed matches like this. All the hard work I’ve put in over the past months, the past days, really paid off today. I’m really happy with my performance and, most importantly, I enjoyed my time on court.”
This defeat marked Djokovic’s first singles loss in his opening match at a hard-court tournament since the 2018 Miami Open, where he fell to Benoit Paire. Djokovic had not played a singles match since his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev, which he had to retire from due to a hamstring injury.
However, it wasn’t all disappointment for the Serbian in Doha. He teamed up with veteran Fernando Verdasco in doubles, and the duo made light work of Karen Khachanov and Alexander Bublik, storming to a 6-1, 6-1 victory. Verdasco, the 41-year-old Spaniard, is retiring after the tournament, adding an emotional layer to the win.
While the singles loss was certainly a setback for Djokovic, Berrettini’s powerful performance reaffirmed his potential to re-enter the upper echelons of the game. The 2025 Qatar Open has once again proven that in tennis, anything can happen on any given day.