Alcaraz starts Doha campaign with win, Djokovic-Verdasco sparkle in doubles

Top seed and world No 3 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on Monday eased past Marin Cilic of Croatia in straight sets to make a winning debut at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
Alcaraz, who played the Australian Open qualifiers in Doha four years ago during Covid, on Monday won 6-4, 6-4 in 1 hour and 39 minutes at the Centre Court of the Khalifa International Tennis Complex.
The four-time Grand Slam champion fired four aces in his straight sets win.
“I’m really pleased about saving that game and giving myself the opportunity to (stay) alive,” Alcaraz said on Monday.
“Marin puts a lot of pressure when you’re serving, he’s a great returner. I’m really happy to stay calm in that moment, do my routine and make good shots. I’m really happy to win in two sets,” he added.
Also on Monday, Czech Jiri Lehecka upset seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov of Belgium. Lehecka won 6-4, 6-4 in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Away from the Centre Court, there was plenty of cheer and noise as Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic partnered veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco for a win in their opening doubles match against Alexander Bublik and Karen Khachanov. Backed by a boisterous crowd, Djokovic and Verdasco - who will end his tennis career in Doha this week - on Monday won 6-1, 6-1.
“I started my doubles very well today with Fernando, and it’s another reason to feel good in this tournament, being next to Fernando in his last tournament where he’s going to retire after this, so I’m honoured to be the partner on the doubles court with him,” Djokovic said on Monday. A two-time winner in Qatar, Djokovic said he was delighted to be back in Doha.
In the day’s last match, Great Britain’s Jack Draper beat Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 6-2, 7-6.