Roger Federer to Potentially Lock Horns With Denis Shapovalov at His Comeback Event in ATP Doha 2021

ATP Qatar Open 2021 is an ATP 250 event but headlines Roger Federer as one of its participants this year. Federer will make his tennis comeback having last played 13 months back in the Australian Open 2020. He is obviously a prime challenger but has tough competition in fellow top 10 rivals, Dominic Thiem and Andrey Rublev.

Federer doesn’t lead the lineup in Doha, Qatar. World No.4 Dominic Thiem leads the lineup, followed by Federer. The third seed is defending champion Andrey Rublev, and the fourth seed is Denis Shapovalov. The top four seeds have all received first-round byes.

The Qatar Open 2021 will begin on the 6th of March at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.

Dominic Thiem will look to turn around his 2021 season

Thiem finds himself in a not-so-easy draw and might first play Aussie Open 2021 semifinalist, Aslan Karatsev. Furthermore, then he could play 2019 Qatar Open champion Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarterfinals. And then a mammoth semifinal clash with Andrey Rublev is also on cards.

Thiem has had no joy in 2021. After a bad outing at ATP Cup 2021, at the Australian Open 2021, he slumped to a straight-set loss to Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round. So Thiem desperately needs rejuvenation in Qatar.

Roger Federer looking at a record fourth Qatar Open title

Federer could play Jeremy Chardy or Dan Evans in the second round. Furthermore, in the quarterfinals, the Swiss Master could play Borna Coric. Moreover, he is on the same side of the draw as Shapovalov.

Federer is a three-time champion at Qatar Open and naturally, a lot is being anticipated of his 2021 return.

Andrey Rublev defends his title at Qatar Open 2021

Rublev could start his title defense against Richard Gasquet. And in the quarterfinals, he could have the company of Stan Wawrinka before a potential clash against World No.3 Thiem in the semifinals.

Rublev is the defending champion and is in decent form. He usually performs really well in the ATP 500 and ATP 250 events. He is coming to the Qatar Open after playing the Rotterdam Open.

Denis Shapovalov’s path towards Qatar Open 2021 triumph

Shapovalov could find himself against his countrymen, Vasek Pospisil in the second round. Further, he could play David Goffin in the quarterfinals before a potential clash against Roger Federer in the semifinal.

It is hard to comment on Shapovalov‘s 2021 season. He has been solid and could be a surprise package at Qatar Open.

Read More: “Made Me a Better Player”: Roger Federer on Playing Against Novak Djokovic