Daniil Medvedev is gradually returning to optimal form, while Stefanos Tsitsipas is going through perhaps the worst period of his career. In Doha at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, the Russian traditionally feels comfortable, whereas the Greek continues to struggle at the start of the season.
Daniil Medvedev
He has had a successful start to the year, winning the Almaty Open and the Brisbane International. He has readjusted his style, coming forward more often and significantly improving the effectiveness of his first serve. In his opening match in Doha at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, he comfortably defeated Juncheng Shang, landing 79% of his first serves and hitting six aces. His record against the Greek is outstanding on outdoor hard courts: six wins in seven meetings.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
He, by contrast, cannot get out of his slump. Last year’s title in Dubai at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships remains the only bright spot; since then he has not reached a single quarter-final on hard courts. Moreover, in 2025 in Doha at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open he was eliminated in the first round by Hamad Medjedovic. The problems go beyond a weak backhand: his serve has declined, and his main weapon, the forehand, has also become unreliable. This year he has lost to Aleksandar Vukic, Tomas Machac and Botic van de Zandschulp, and in his last 12 matches against top-20 opponents he has been beaten 11 times.
Daniil Medvedev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas Prediction
Taking into account Medvedev’s form, the statistics and his psychological advantage (10 wins in 14 head-to-head meetings), the outlook is clear. He is the stronger player and much more confident. The Greek can compete in individual rallies, but over the course of the match he simply has nothing to match his opponent’s more varied and composed game.
