ATP action gets underway in the Middle East at ATP Doha with big servers and baseline grinders alike having plenty to enjoy in the fast conditions. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule on day one, but who will book their spot in the second round?
ATP Doha Day 1 Predictions
Mubarak Shannan Zayid vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mubarak Shannan Zayid earns the wild card as the hometown Qatari player, bringing local energy and crowd support to the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. It’s a proud moment for him to step onto the main draw, but his experience stays mostly in lower-tier events with not much main-tour seasoning yet.
Alexei Popyrin, on the other hand, packs a huge serve and aggressive forehand that thrive on hard courts. Even with some patchy results early in 2026, his power lets him dictate points quickly and wrap up service games efficiently. The surface speed plays right into his hands, and the gap in tour-level exposure should show as he controls the rhythm from the baseline and finishes points decisively.
Prediction: Popyrin in 2
Jakub Mensik vs Jan Choinski
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jakub Mensik keeps climbing with impressive hard-court play, highlighted by strong runs and even a title push that showcases his booming serve and growing all-around game. Jan Choinski fought through qualifying with two gritty wins over James Mccabe and top seed Quentin Halys, proving his baseline steadiness and ability to hang tough in long rallies. But Mensik’s extra firepower and recent momentum allow him to take the initiative early, hold serve comfortably, and apply constant pressure that can wear down opponents. His form on hard courts should give the Czech the edge against comparatively inexperienced opposition in Choinsiki.
Prediction: Mensik in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Shang Juncheng
Head-to-head: first meeting
Daniil Medvedev has long excelled in these Middle East hard-court setups, where his flat, penetrating groundstrokes, elite defense, and movement turn defense into attack seamlessly. He loves the bounce and speed here, using them to frustrate aggressive players and extend points until mistakes come.
Shang Jungcheng, playing on a protected ranking, arrives with plenty of upside; quick hands, clean ball-striking, and some notable upsets under his belt, as well as having shown flashes of his talent against the world’s very best. He’s certainly dangerous when he finds rhythm and can push top players. Still, Medvedev’s vast experience in big events should let him absorb Shang’s early aggression, return deep consistently, and take control as the match wears on. His ability to stay composed and grind out points tips the scales.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
