Only one seeded player, Karen Khachanov, has made it through to the Doha semifinals. Khachanov will continue his title quest against Alexei Popyrin, while the other semifinal matchup pits Gael Monfils against Jakub Mensik.
Jakub Mensik vs. (WC) Gael Monfils
Mensik had already made a little bit of noise on tour during his brief career, but the 2024 Qatar ExxonMobil Open marks his true breakthrough. The 18-year-old Czech, who reached the third round of the 2023 U.S. Open and the second round of the Australian Open earlier this season (both as a qualifier), is through to the semifinals in Doha with victories over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Andy Murray, and Andrey Rublev. Mensik bounced back from the longest match in tournament history (three hours and 23 minutes) against Murray on Wednesday to upset the top-seeded Rublev 6-4, 7-6(6) on Thursday evening.
Up next for the world No. 116 on Friday is Monfils in what will obviously be a showdown between different generations. The Frenchman is 19 years Mensik’s senior at 37 (Monfils had 20 main-tour match wins and an ATP title when Mensik was born), but despite being well past his prime he is still–when healthy–playing good tennis. Monfils, ranked 67th, was the only player to take a set off Jannik Sinner last week in Rotterdam and so far in Doha he has disposed of Botic van de Zandschulp, Zhizhen Zhang (in a third-set tiebreaker), and Ugo Humbert. Given the age discrepancy, Mensik is the more reliable player from a physical standpoint and the way in which he held his nerve during tense moments against Murray and Rublev was especially impressive. Youth may rule the day in what should be a competitive, high-quality contest.
Pick: Mensik in 3
Alexei Popyrin vs. (2) Karen Khachanov
Khachanov and Popyrin will be facing each other for the fourth time in their careers on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at 2-1 in favor of Khachanov, who has earned both of his wins in third-set tiebreakers (Dubai in 2021 and Rotterdam in 2022). Popyrin dominated their most recent encounter 6-4, 6-2 this past fall on the hard courts of Tokyo.
It has been a quietly impressive start to the season for Popyrin, who is projected to reach a career-high of at least No. 37 in the world even if he loses on Friday. The Australian did not post any especially notable results prior to this week, but his only losses have come to Roman Safiullin in a third-set tiebreaker (Brisbane second round) and to Novak Djokovic in four sets (Aussie Open second round). Popyrin earned his place in the Doha semis by beating Abdullah Shelbayh, Hugo Grenier, and Alexander Bublik. Khachanov has advanced with victories over Fabian Marozan and Emil Ruusuvuori (via first-set retirement), improving to 7-3 for the year. The 17th-ranked Russian is the favorite on paper, but Popyrin is playing well and will take confidence from their most recent meeting in Tokyo.
Pick: Popyrin in 3
WWW?
Popyrin in three .
Mensik is still learning to maintain his concentration levels throughout a match and event. Once he does that, he should be well on his way inside the top 20.
There are too many new kids suddenly in the ATP draw. I already don’t like him.
This new one from the Czech Republic knocked out Rublev, Murray, and, just now, Monfils! 😒😒
Murray should push himself to see if he can make the top 20 one last time.
Khachanov will be a tough nut to crack to win his first title due to their respective styles. I have a feeling Khachanov is hungry for results this year after a quiet 2023.
Well, I hope you are right, Anon.
It’s normal to throw a fit in a case like this, but I get over it.
The other surprise this past week was ALL the WTA top-seeded players got knocked out. We get a surprise final in Dubai: Paolini vs Kalinskaya.
🤦🤦
Yes, I think Paolini/Kalinskaya final is the most remarkable story in tennis right now. No idea who to root for, although I’ve always loved the spunk of the Italian.
It’s Kalinskaya with the big wins over Coco and Iga so feels like she most deserves the win. Paolini got a walkover when Elena withdrew. Elena would almost certainly have won that match.
I’ve always liked Kalenskaya, amy. Not as much as Kasatkina, but not at all bruised by either of those Russians beating a favorite; add Pavyluchenkova, too.
But I would not pick against Pow-pow. She is so full of confidence I can almost hear what she’s telling herself!
I do agree her draw was easier, but not by much Haddad-Maia was my first-round pick to beat Powpow – Jasmine took her to three sets.
I like Jordan Thompson beating Zverev 😀
This is my last week with my TV. No more Tennis Channel for me. It’s fine with me not to watch these matches live (for the most part). There are a number of places to watch replays now.
I can’t remember watching Kalinskaya Elizabeth! I know that Paolini is super feisty. But beating Coco and Iga back to back is seriously impressive.
Neither Margot or myself have live tv coverage since Amazon stopped covering it. I did pay for Eurosport to watch the AO as,a one off. Al has Sky which is very expensive.
“Paolini got a walkover…”
the breaks o’ the game …
😉
Yes. But if we are talking of luck I am super fed up Muchova has been injured yet again since the USO. Incredibly unlucky with injuries…I miss her.
I have the match on now…you guys.
Kalinskaya is out early with a break. But Pow is quick to get a game on the board.
Pow could be the WTA’s version of Diego Schwartzman.
Yes, she doesn’t give up a fight! Reminds me of Cibulkova a little.
Anna has been hanging around inside the top 100 and making steady progress. She is a lovely tennis player. Guessing she finally decided to make her move. She has gone from #40 to #24 since since AO. She beat Paolini at AO and made the round of 16.
Jasmine Paolini was ranked #26 at the start of 2024 and has jumped to #16. She beat Fernandez Sakkari, a w/o from Rybakina and a surging Cirstea.
Kalinskaya took out Ostapenko Gauff, AND Swiatek. I enjoy watching Anna Kalinskaya, but all of those she took out are favorites, especially since Swiatek had an improved second serve, and I wanted to see her win the double in the desert! But I initially picked Sabalenka and did not see Vekic beating her in Dubai.
Anna vs Jasmine should be a good match. Jasmine is always feisty, and Anna is on a roll.
Hello Margot,
Do you have a way to watch Kalinskaya and Pow-pow?
We need Muchova, Krejcikova, Kvitova, and Vondrousova healthy and fit to play. They make it even more interesting.
Vondrousova played so well in the first set vs. Cirstea and then just seemed to quit going for the balls. She may be injured, but it didn’t seem like it in the first set. It was more like she lost interest and said enough. Her coach was shown shaking his head. Marketa seemed fine with losing.
Kalinskaya’s highest career ranking was 38 until this tournament. Anna is down to play San Diego this coming week. And I just noticed who is coaching her: Denis Shapovalov’s mother, Tessa Shapovalova. She was born in Lviv, Ukraine.
It aches to think of Ukraine. I say no more.
This match will go to 3 sets.
Hi Elizabeth, no I didn’t alas. I’m like Amy, wont pay for Sky and my tennis watching days are considerably reduced.
And, echoing what you said somewhere else. Mensik? Where did he come from!
Hello, Margot!
A week from today, I will be returning home to Portland. There will be no watching tennis after today until I am settled in there. Goodbye, Boise.
Of course, I don’t stop bracket-picking. San Diego WTA is a 500 now; I didn’t know that. It was easy. Pegula is back. There’s ATP Dubai – I have Mensik losing early, even though he could win it all. He’s a big bruiser, Margot. He reminds me of a young Berdych.
WTA Dubai was wild like it was years ago. I won, yay me!
ATP is impossible to pick these days while the deck is being shuffled.
It’s nice to see ToMMo87 back. Congrats on winning Doha!
Scores for the ATP event were in the 20s.
Rio de Janeiro – congrats to Big Al!
Los Cabos Congrats to Cami!
Thanks for playing the tough week, everybody.
2 brackets for WTA and 3 for ATP
I’ve done 1 WTA San Diego, and due to a time crunch, just 1 Dubai for ATP.
It’s time for Andrey Rublev to win, I say! Jazda!
Good luck with your move and congrats!
The South American clay swing is the nearest thing to playing the lottery.
Its a pity we have so many interesting tournaments WTA and ATP all at once .Id love to have time to watch them all.
Thinking about Dubai, Rublev has a great record so I have him in the final at least.
Who will be wearing the Sombrero this week?
Hint: two very unpopular players (on here) could be in the final and I dont mean Romeo.
Is this a reference to the Cart Horse? Haven’t done much Cart Horse bashing lately. Romeo isn’t as bad. Just a bit of an idiot.