ATP Doha: Alcaraz beats Cilic and awaits the winner of Zhang Zhizhen and Narddi

On February 17, local time, the first round of the men's singles at the 2025 ATP500 Doha station began, and the top seed Alcaraz defeated former US Open champion Cilic 6-4/6-4 to get off to a good start, and he will wait for the winner between Zhang Zhizhen and Nardi.

Alcaraz infographic

Alcaraz has won three of his previous four meetings with Cilic, including a narrow five-set victory at the 2022 US Open to win his first career Grand Slam title. Alcaraz continued his excellent run in Rotterdam and despite repeated break points, he eventually defeated Cilic 6-4, 6-4 to advance. It is worth mentioning that basketball star Jimmy Butler came to watch the game and interacted with Alcaraz after the game.

Elsewhere, eighth seed Draper beat Poplin 6-2, 7-6(4); Seventh seed Dimitrov lost 4-6, 4-6 to Lehecka in his first match. Two wildcard players lost in the first round: [Q] O'Connell 7-6(7)/7-6(3) Habib [W]; Marousanne 7-5, 6-3 Douglas[W]

In the doubles, Djokovic partnered with Spanish veteran Verdasco, who officially retired after this tournament, and swept away Khachanov/Bublik 6-1/6-1 in the first round to advance to the second round.

(Text, editor: Dato, photo: Visual China)