ATP Doha: starting place in the single main field to be given cheaply
In the qualification grid for the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Doha there are some names that you would not have expected there.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Mar 06, 2021, 07:36 am
Perhaps it is the restrictive travel restrictions that have actually prevented ambitious individual players from entering the qualification mills in Doha. There is actually no other explanation for the fact that initially only eleven professionals were found in the grid for the qualification, who expressed their desire for a starting place in the main field of the ATP Tour 250 tournament.
The fact that three of these eleven have found their way into the manageable tournament tree as "Alternates" does not necessarily give the whole matter additional seriousness.
Chance of a match against Thiem or Federer
On the other hand, the double specialists Marcelo Melo, Tim Pütz and Frederik Nielsen are to be credited for having agreed to fill the grid. And at least one of this trio will have the chance to actually play for a place in the main field: Melo and Pütz were drawn against each other, the winner will meet Blaz Rola in round two. Like four other candidates (Lloyd Harris, Norbert Gombos, Thomas Fabbiano and Christopher O'Connell) a single success is enough to possibly play against Roger Federer or Dominic Thiem .
The two top the seeding list, followed by Andrey Rublev , who is still busy today (and maybe tomorrow) in Rotterdam, and Denis Shapovalov . Nice chances actually for players with a world ranking of around 100 to get involved in a playful way and to compete with some of the best players in the world after passing the qualification. Apparently not attractive enough.