Three of the top six seeds have advanced to the semifinals in Doha, with Arthur Rinderknech being the lone outsider. Rinderknech is going up against Nikoloz Basilashvili on Friday, while Roberto Bautista Agut is facing Karen Khachanov.
(6) Karen Khachanov vs. (2) Roberto Bautista Agut
Bautista Agut and Khachanov will be squaring off for the eighth time in their careers when they clash in the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at 5-2 in favor of Bautista Agut, who has never lost to Khachanov on anything other than clay. Two of the Spaniard’s five victories have come in straight sets, including five years ago in Dubai. The Russian has never prevailed in this matchup in straight sets.
Another tough day at the office could be in store for Khachanov. The world No. 27 is in decent enough form with victories this week over Mackenzie McDonald, Emil Ruusuvuori, and Marin Cilic, but Bautista Agut is simply on a different level. The 33-year-old has lost a grand total of three games in Doha, following up a first-round bye with complete destructions of Andy Murray and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Khachanov will almost certainly be more competitive than those two, but it’s hard to see anyone stopping Bautista Agut at the moment.
Pick: Bautista Agut in 3
Arthur Rinderknech vs. (3) Nikoloz Basilashvili
Doha is exactly where Basilashvili’s year-long slump abruptly ended in 2021, when he beat Bautista Agut, Roger Federer, and three other foes from completely out of nowhere to take the title. Now the 22nd-ranked Georgia has ideas of doing the same thing in 2022, although this time around the slump has lasted only a month and a half. Basilashvili had been 0-6 this season prior to arriving in Doha, but he has defeated Elias Ymer and Marton Fucsovics to reach the semis.
Up next for the third seed on Friday is Rinderknech, who lost their only previous encounter 6-2, 7-5 last summer in Halle. It was a breakout 2021 campaign for Rinderknech, and he is showing no signs of a proverbial sophomore slump. The 61st-ranked Frenchman has already won nine matches on the main tour this year, including Doha victories at the expense of Jiri Vesely, Alexander Bublik, and Denis Shapovalov. Two wins against unspectacular competition are nowhere near enough to inspire sudden confidence in Basilashvili, so look for Rinderknech to continue his hot streak.
Pick: Rinderknech in 2
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